Protestants recognize two sacraments (an outward expression of an inner reality). They are the Lord's Supper (Communion) and Baptism.
The word, "baptism", is from the Greek language in which the New Testament was written. It means "immerse" or "be dipped" or "take a bath". Some churches do baptisms by immersion and others do so by forming the sign of the cross on the forehead with water. In the New Testament when a man, woman or family became believing followers of Jesus, they were baptized, symbolizing God's having chosen them, Christ's having died for them, their being cleansed from their sin, their old nature having died, and a new life having begun as if risen from death to life as expressed in the passage above (both in translation and in paraphrase).
This Sunday each of us will have the opportunity to renew our baptism.
Some may want to renew their baptism because they understand in a new way that God can be relied on, that it is his faithfulness to me, not the quality of my faith that I can rely on. Others may realize that they have been counting on God for the benefits of what God offers without reciprocating that commitment. Others will renew their baptism just as a husband and wife renew their vows. Others will not do so because for them baptism, like wedding vows, was a one time event and for them it is unrepeatable.
Perhaps the simplest way to view baptism renewal is the opportunity to act out once again the meaning of my Christian faith, which is that the recognition and admission that my life doesn't belong to me anymore
Dear Lord, I am just beginning to understand that it is in my baptism that I know who I am. My
baptism, as what a wedding ring is to my marriage, tells me that you have chosen me to be yours.
Yet for the baptism to be complete I must commit myself to you, in sickness and in health, in joy
and in sorrow, in plenty and in want. Lord, in every circumstance of life I proclaim that I belong to
you, heart, mind, soul and strength. Amen"
No comments:
Post a Comment