Life / Small Group · aligned to Presbyterian / Reformed
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: Why We Don't Re-Baptize
Baptism is the covenant sign of God's gracious promise — its validity rests on God's faithfulness, not on the timing, depth, or memory of our faith, so a baptism rightly administered is never to be repeated.
Review & safety checks
This is a solid, well-structured lesson plan aligned with Reformed/Presbyterian doctrine on covenant baptism and infant membership. The tone is appropriately charitable toward believers who differ. All Scripture references are accurate and properly cited. No plagiarism detected. One theology flag regarding the Colossians-circumcision argument—not an error, but a place where the leader should know this is an *interpretive claim* within Reformed tradition, not a direct proof text, so they can handle questions confidently and fairly acknowledge the hermeneutical work involved. The pastoral sensitivity throughout is commendable.
- Caution · TheologyTeaching segment, movement (2), paragraph beginning 'THE COVENANT INCLUDES CHILDREN'The statement 'Colossians 2:11-12 ties baptism to circumcision, the old covenant sign given to infants' requires careful framing. The passage itself does not explicitly state that circumcision was administered to infants of believers as a covenant sign in the same sense Presbyterian theology affirms. Recommend clarifying that this is a Reformed *interpretation* of covenant continuity, not a direct statement of Colossians 2. Also note that some Reformed theologians debate the strength of the Colossians-circumcision parallel for infant baptism; leader should be prepared for that pushback and have WCF 28 language ready.
Lesson plan
Welcome the group and name the topic honestly: many sincere, Bible-loving Christians hold a 'believer's baptism only' view and practice re-baptism, while our Reformed tradition does not. State the goal clearly: not to win an argument or disparage other believers, but to understand WHY, as a Presbyterian/Reformed church, we baptize the infants of believers and do not re-baptize those already baptized. Open in prayer, asking God to give humility, charity, and a high view of His covenant faithfulness.
Invite a few quick responses to the warm-up questions below. Keep it light and observational — surface the group's experiences and assumptions about baptism before the teaching reframes them. Don't correct here; just listen and write key words on a board.
Walk through four movements. (1) WHAT BAPTISM IS: a sign and seal of God's covenant promise, not primarily our testimony to God but God's pledge to us — water marking us out as belonging to Him (Matthew 28:19). (2) THE COVENANT INCLUDES CHILDREN: from Genesis 17:7 God dealt with believers AND their offspring; Peter echoes this in Acts 2:38-39 ('the promise is for you and for your children'); Colossians 2:11-12 ties baptism to circumcision, the old covenant sign given to infants — so the children of believers receive the covenant sign. This is why we do not hold to 'believer's baptism only.' (3) BAPTISM'S VALIDITY RESTS ON GOD, NOT US: because the sign points to God's grace and promise, its efficacy doesn't depend on how strong our faith was, how much water was used, or whether we remember it. (4) THEREFORE WE DON'T RE-BAPTIZE: Ephesians 4:5 — 'one Lord, one faith, one baptism.' To be re-baptized treats the first baptism as if God's promise failed, locating confidence in our experience rather than His faithfulness. Acknowledge charitably WHY others re-baptize (they read baptism as a believer's response to conversion) and where we differ. Address pastoral cases gently: someone baptized as an infant who later comes to faith should not be re-baptized but should embrace their baptism through public profession of faith; someone never baptized at all, of course, should be baptized.
Hand each person an index card. On one side write 'MY faith / MY memory / MY experience'; on the other 'GOD'S promise / GOD'S faithfulness.' In pairs, have them place the card with 'GOD'S promise' side up and discuss: how does locating baptism's security in God's word (rather than the strength of my experience) change the way I think about re-baptism? Then write on the card one specific situation — their own or a friend's (e.g., 'baptized as a baby, came to faith at 20') — and how they would lovingly counsel that person from today's passages. Invite two or three to share.
Summarize the big idea: our confidence rests on the unchanging faithfulness of the covenant God, sealed once in baptism. Encourage anyone wrestling with this to talk with the pastor or elders. Close by thanking God that His promises do not fail and praying for charity toward brothers and sisters who see this differently.
Discussion questions
- warmupWhen you hear the word 'baptism,' what is the first picture or memory that comes to mind?
- warmupHave you ever heard of someone being baptized a second time? What reasons did they give?
- digIn Acts 2:38-39, Peter says the promise is 'for you and for your children.' How does that phrase shape the way we think about who receives the covenant sign?
- digColossians 2:11-12 connects baptism with circumcision. Since circumcision was given to infants of believers, what does that suggest about baptizing the children of believers?
- digIf baptism's meaning rests mainly on God's promise rather than the strength of our faith, why would re-baptism actually undercut the comfort God intends baptism to give?
- applyEphesians 4:5 speaks of 'one baptism.' How would you lovingly respond to a fellow Christian who feels their infant baptism 'didn't count' because they weren't believing yet?
- applyHow can we disagree charitably with believers who hold a 'believer's baptism only' view without treating them as less faithful?
- applyIs there a way you can rest more in God's covenant faithfulness this week, remembering your own baptism as a sign of His claim on you?
Scripture
Ephesians 4:5 — one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Genesis 17:7 — And I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.
Acts 2:38-39 — Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself."
Colossians 2:11-12 — In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of your sinful nature, with the circumcision performed by Christ and not by human hands. And having been buried with Him in baptism, you were raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Matthew 28:19 — Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Acts 16:33 — At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.
1 Corinthians 7:14 — For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
Leader notes
Prep checklist
- Read through Acts 2:38-39, Colossians 2:11-12, Genesis 17:7, and Ephesians 4:5 in context beforehand so you can answer questions confidently.
- Review your church's Westminster Standards on baptism (esp. WCF 28 and the Shorter Catechism Q.94-95) for quick reference.
- Pray for any group members who may have been re-baptized or who hold believer's-baptism-only convictions — aim for warmth, not debate.
- Decide in advance how you'll handle the pastoral case of an infant-baptized person now seeking baptism: point them to public profession of faith and to the pastor/elders.
- Prepare a board or large sheet for the warm-up word list.
- Have the pastor's or an elder's contact ready for anyone wanting deeper follow-up.
Materials
- Bibles (BSB preferred for matching the quoted texts)
- Index cards (one per person)
- Pens or pencils
- Whiteboard or large paper with markers
- Optional: printed copies of WCF Chapter 28 for those who want to read further
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