Baptism I
Water WITH Word
Matthew 28.19 & Mark 16.16
1. Baptism extends the “With”ness of the Incarnation (Luke 3.21-22)
Jesus, at his incarnation and his baptism, identified with us, so that even in the flesh, and at our baptism we may be completely identified with him.
Baptism: God’s Activity of GRACE (even for Jesus!) Luke 2.52 says that Jesus grew in favor/grace with God and Man.
2. Baptism is water WITH the Word (Matthew 28.19)
“Isn’t Baptism a work? And, we are not saved by works?"
“To be baptized in God’s name is to be baptized not by men, but by God Himself. Therefore, although it is performed by human hands, it is still truly God’s own work. From this fact everyone may conclude that Baptism is a far higher work than any work performed by a man or a saint. For what work can we do that is greater than God’s work?” Large Catechism, Baptism, 10)
3. The promises of Baptism are to apprehended (lay hold of) WITH belief (Mark 16.16)
Luther, “a treasure, which God gives and faith grasps.” (Ephesians 2.8-9)
Comments
But John intervened: “I’m baptizing you here in the river. The main character in this drama, to whom I’m a mere stagehand, will ignite the kingdom life, a fire, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the inside out. He’s going to clean house—make a clean sweep of your lives. He’ll place everything true in its proper place before God; everything false he’ll put out with the trash to be burned.” (Luke 3:16, 17 MSG)
This sounds better than New Year's resolutions!