The Sacrament of Baptism is observed differently across the Church. Some consider the application of water–sometimes by total immersion–as a cleansing from sin. Others see Baptism as a sign of what Jesus is doing/ has already done in the life of an infant. The unanswerable question remains: is participation in this rite done by human choice for repentance? or is this an occasion of God’s inbreaking, a confirmation of prevenient Grace already doing marvelous things? We don’t presume to offer extensive studies of Baptism here; we do acknowledge that Baptism carries different freight, albeit central to discipleship. The upcoming weekend is our remembrance of the Baptism of Jesus.
The Israelites of Babylon to whom Isaiah 43:1-7 is addressed felt not only the loss of their paternal homeland but the quickly eroding Community of the Faithful as new generations became Babylon-ized. Isaiah urged the remnant not to give up hope for physical AND spiritual restoration: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you…” Deep water recalled the terrors of both the Ark and the Exodus, when water stood between the People and the Land of Promise. These stories turned out well, they also remembered, when God sent a dove to announce familiar land once more; and when the enemies were drowned after God has made a path through the water… And Psalm 29 exults, “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders…”
There are probably better Baptismal texts than Acts 8:14-17. But here’s the unnamed Dove of the Spirit, again, plummeting not on Noah or Jesus, but on new Christians in (aaack!) Samaria. This was one more instance of the restoration of the Lost Community mourned by the Exiles and envisioned by Isaiah. It also marks a realization among the Jewish disciples that the message of Jesus is for all who will hear, beyond the old boundaries. Thunder indeed!
The Baptism of Jesus is seen as important to the Gospel, since all four (!) Evangelists lift it up. It’s questionable that Jesus saw this as a cleansing from Sin; but his participation solidified his humanity AND (according to our reading, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22) reinforced his self-understanding of his Christhood. As the Dove descended, God spoke: “YOU are my Son…” Jesus was born into a system of broken faith, and now he knew his mission of reconciliation. So it is that our traditional rite of Baptism includes a naming of the recipient of such Grace, now with an important identity.
In most of these services, a lay leader or the pastor presents the baptized to the congregation–and the congregation is introduced to the special blessedness of this new Brother or Sister in Christ. Then the pastor sprinkles (or sometimes splashes!) the congregation and says, “Remember YOUR baptism–and be glad!” Remember that YOU are baptized as God’s Beloved! Was that thunder?
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My musings on Scripture assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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