Set Apart by Faith
What does water baptism do? Does it save us? Does it impart a spiritual benefit? These questions have divided believers for centuries. The Bible makes it clear that we are saved by God’s grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to the Bible alone, to the glory of God alone. Baptism cannot save - only faith can, but can baptism impart some sort of protection or spiritual blessing? 1 Corinthians 7:14 is often cited as proof of this kind of blessing that is imparted to infants by baptism. Is that a valid interpretation, or is it something else that imparts a spiritual blessing or covering to our children until they can make a faith declaration for themselves?
Scripture
1 Corinthians 7:14-16 ESV For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
Bible Study Questions
The context of the passage of 1 Corinthians 7 is that of Christian principles of marriage. The section from verse 10 onward focuses on how marriage is affected by one or both partners leaving their pagan unbelief and entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ. What is the general principle of 1 Corinthians 7:10-13?
1 Corinthians 7:14 says that an unbeliever is “set apart” (made holy or sanctified) by their believing spouse. What does it mean to be “set apart” made holy or sanctified in this context? Can it mean salvation, or does it mean something else? (Ezekiel 18:20)
How can the faith of one person be of benefit for another, how could a believing spouse “save” their wife or husband? (1 Corinthians 7:16, 2 Timothy 1:8-9)
What does it then mean that the children of a believing parent or parents are “set apart” or made holy? Does it mean that they are saved? (Acts 26:18)
In Galatians 3:27 it is assumed that everyone who has been baptised has “put on Christ”. What does it mean to “put on Christ” in this context? (Ephesians 4:22-24). Can an infant, before having made a faith decision for themselves, “put on Christ”?
The public confession of Christ is essential to the believer (Romans 10:9-10) but as Galatians 3:27 shows, this needs to be done prior to baptism. The tradition of confirmation is a public confession, but how does it differ to the teaching of Scripture on the order of confession of faith and baptism?
Romans 6:3-5 teaches us that baptism is a way of publicly identifying with Jesus and proclaiming His death and resurrection. This is an act of obedience, but is it also an act of worship?
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for each one who has lead us to know You. Thank You for each one who has prayed for us to know You. Thank You for each one that has demonstrated Your love through their behaviour towards us. Thank You for blessing us in all these ways and bringing us to faith in You. We praise You for the free gift of eternal life for those who trust in You. Please forgive us when we try to earn our forgiveness and relationship with You, and please help us to do everything we can, in Your strength, to bring others to a knowledge of Your great love and mercy. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
I am crucified with Christ,
And the cross hath set me free;
I have ris’n again with Christ,
And He lives and reigns in me. Oh! it is so sweet to die with Christ,
To the world, and self, and sin;
Oh! it is so sweet to live with Christ,
As He lives and reigns within
Mystery hid from ancient ages!
But at length to faith made plain:
Christ in me the Hope of Glory,
Tell it o’er and o’er again.
This the secret nature hideth,
Harvest grows from buried grain;
A poor tree with better grafted,
Richer, sweeter life doth gain.
This the secret of the holy,
Not our holiness, but Him;
O Lord! empty us and fill us,
With Thy fulness to the brim.
This the balm for pain and sickness,
Just to all our strength to die,
And to find His life and fulness,
All our being’s need supply.
This the story of the Master,
Thru the Cross, He reached the Throne,
And like Him our path to glory,
Ever leads through death alone.
Service
As parents it is our purpose to raise our children to know the Lord Jesus Christ, His salvation and His teachings. We need to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help us to be more focused on this as the business of life robs us of clarity and direction. Remember also that we are equipped to minister God’s grace to all people not just our own children. We need to ask the Lord Jesus to create opportunities for us to minister to those who do not yet know the glorious wonder of God’s love in Jesus Christ.