Water and the Word

Titus 3:3-7

Who knew baptism was such a controversial topic?  Well, lots of people, but I figured baptism is baptism, no matter when, where or how.  I've come to learn that the means and meaning of baptism have embroiled the church since the 16^th Century.  

My own baptism story is a little different.  In the Catholic church, a baby is typically baptized within a few months of birth.  I, on the other hand, can remember my baptism because I was several years old.  I don’t recall consciously deciding to say “Yes” to God, but I did know something special was happening inside St. Mary's that day.

As I got older, I learned I had taken part in a sacred sacrament that washed away sin and offered salvation.  Then in the 8^th grade, during my Confirmation, I renewed my baptismal promises, this time wholly acknowledging what I was saying “Yes” to. 

Fast forward to my children’s baptism.  Again, things happened a little bit different because my son was eight and my daughter, five.  They too have vivid memories of the day the benefits of baptism were bestowed upon them.

Preparation for today’s reading lead me to do some digging and learning about the history of baptism.  It also pointed me to Luther’s Small Catechism, which I didn’t have growing up.  Luther uses Titus to answer the question, How can water do such great things?

…For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three: “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” (Titus 3:5–8)

For me, the bottom line is… through baptism we are saved, “not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (v.5).  And whether we’re six weeks or 60 years, when water and the word combine, we are renewed in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Thank you for the blessings of baptism!

      

More Powerful than Water

Water is powerful. A flood can destroy your house in a second. An unchecked drip can rot your house over a several year period. Besides being powerful, water also brings something powerful.

 

“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.”

 

Peter spoke these words, from today’s reading, Acts 2:29-41, in Jerusalem during Pentecost.

 

What a blessing baptism is. Water and the Word of God: a common liquid coupled with profound wisdom that transcends human understanding. Baptism.  Simple, but effective.

 

The Lord saved the Jews from Pharaoh’s army about 3400 years ago. The Jews were slaves in Egypt, and Moses was God’s instrument to afflict the Egyptians with 10 plagues. Eventually Pharaoh relented and released the Jews. However, Pharaoh changed his mind and sent his army to crush the Jews. God parted the waters of the Red Sea allowing the Jews to cross. With the Egyptians still on the sea bed, God released the water and the army drowned.

 

God used water to save the Jews from its enemy.

 

When we are baptized, Satan, can no longer touch us. Sure, he can wreak havoc in our lives, but our souls belong to God.

 

God uses water to save Christians from its enemy.

 

Joshua led the Jews through the Jordan River to Canaan. Out of water, the Jews came to their Promised Land.

 

Our baptism ensures us eternal life with God. Out of water, Christians come to their promised land, Heaven.

A theologian would say baptism Justifies us. That is, baptism makes us right with God.

 

Baptism is more than that. Peter tells us the Holy Spirit enters us on our baptism.

 

The Holy Spirit allows us to have faith and be aware of, if not fully understand, God’s Plan and Christ’s Mission. In addition, it equips us with the skills necessary to carry out that Mission, the Mission of the Church.

 

Baptism also Sanctifies us. It allows us to reach out to others.

 

Baptism: Justification and Sanctification!

 

Yes, water brings the Holy Spirit, more powerful than water itself!