John 3:5-8
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." (ESV)
Baptism is God's
Thursday of Pentecost 2
10 June 2010
Baptism is not simple water only because Christ gives Himself and His glory to those who are baptized through the washing that he ordained. Unfortunately, many American Christians consider baptism their act of obedience toward God rather than Christ's gracious gift of forgiveness and cleansing from sin to the Christian. Baptism gives a clear conscience toward God because it is God's action. Here Cyril of Jerusalem contends that though John's baptism was great, the baptism of Jesus is far greater. John was a mere man, Jesus the Only-begotten Son of the Father. How could His baptism only be an outward washing, a mere sprinkling of water?
Cyril of Jerusalem
"You have as the glory of baptism the Son Himself, the Only-begotten of God. For why should I speak any more of man? John the Baptizer was great, but what is he in comparison to the Lord? John was a loud sounding voice, but what was it in comparison with the Word? Very noble was the herald, but what in comparison with the King? Noble was he that baptized with water, but what to Him that baptizes 'with the Holy Spirit and fire' (Mt 3:11)? The Savior baptized the Apostles with the Holy Spirit and with fire, when 'Suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and restedon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit' (Acts 2:2-4)."
Prayer
O Christ, we Christians believe that what the Word says is. Grant me grace to believe that what You have said about me in baptism is; through You I pray. Amen.
For our catechumens, that they might always be faithful to the gift given in the one baptism
For Jackie Alexander, that the Lord Jesus would grant strength and healing in accordance with his gracious will
For our military stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and throughout the world that God our Lord would keep them safe and be with them as they carry out their duty
Art: MICHELANGELO, Buonarroti The Fall and Expulsion from Garden of Eden 1509-1510