“Bedrock Beliefs” – Jan 2012
The Grand Sweep is coming to an end. Our Year of the Bible has run its course. The Sacred Text is mastering and having its way with us; serving as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for correction, for teaching, for reproof, and for training in righteousness, that the child of God may be complete, equipped for every good work”—II Timothy 3:16-17. On January 8, we’ll have our final Grand Sweep conversation during the Adult Education Hour. We’ll discuss “the Revelation of Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth”. On Christmas Eve we begin the celebration of the Twelve Days of Christmas. On January 1 (10 a.m.) we will embrace the gift of a New Year with our traditional Bell Ringing Service. On Sunday, January 22 we will officially be saying farewell to our Youth Director, Beth, and wishing her Godspeed as she departs for a new ministry opportunity in Australia. As we say goodbye to 2011, may God grant each of us the wisdom and joy of a faith-filled 2012.
During 2012, I will be selecting one of our Bedrock Beliefs each month and offering reflections for your consideration in our monthly newsletters. It is my conviction that bedrock beliefs are the non-negotiable essentials of our Christian Faith. Grace may be free for all, but grace, costly grace, is not a “free-for-all” where the redeemed do and believe as they please. The twelve month journey that awaits us will be a kind of an adult catechesis; a review of what we learned in Confirmation. This month, as we prepare to celebrate the Baptism of our Lord on January 8, I thought I would begin by addressing the topic of Holy Baptism, our entrance rite into the life of the church. What is it that we believe about the Sacrament of Holy Baptism? The hymns of our church provide confessional fodder for our theology of Baptism. “All who believe and are baptized shall see the Lord’s salvation (Mark 16:16). Baptized into the death of Christ, they are a new creation (Romans 6:4 & II Cor. 5:17). Through Christ’s redemption they shall stand, among the glorious heavenly band of every tribe and nation (Revelation 7:9-17)”—LBW #194.
We baptize infants and adults, because we have a Great Commission with a great promise! Our resurrected Lord, who has all authority, commands his church to make disciples of all nations everywhere, in God’s name (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We are commanded to make disciples and to teach obedience to the commandments of Jesus; lo, Jesus is with us always! In Baptism we become the bride of Jesus. In Baptism we are born again (John 3); birthed from above. Our first birth (biologically born into sin) requires a second birth (heavenly conception), which guarantees a third birth (resurrection unto eternal life). What about eternal security; once saved, always saved? Can one fall out of grace? Can the promises of Baptism become null and void? Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is always a spiritual danger. Baptism isn’t hocus-pocus, medicinal inoculation, or a human insurance policy. Read Hebrews 10:26-31, I Corinthians 10:1-13, John 10:27-30 & Romans 8:28-39. Scripture doesn’t flip-flop. God doesn’t speak out of both sides of His mouth. In Jesus, God’s Word for us is always “Yes!” Personally, I don’t understand how a person could fall out of grace, unless it wasn’t costly grace to begin with. God, who began a good work in us, guarantees its completion at the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ. In the meantime, let baptism have its full effect! In the Small Catechism, Martin Luther writes: “What does baptism mean for daily living?” “It means that my sinful self with all of its evil deeds and desires should be drowned though daily repentance, and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.” Recently in the Grand Sweep, we read Romans, Galatians, Colossians, Titus, and I Peter. Each Epistle makes reference to Baptism. The Letter of Romans reminds us that it is impossible for a baptized child of God to sin all the more that grace may abound. Why? Because we have been buried and raised with Christ in baptism (Romans 6:1-14); game on and game over. Galatians and Colossians remind us that we are “clothed so to speak” (Gal. 3:27-29 & Col. 3:1-17) in the righteousness of Jesus in Holy Baptism. Baptism is the great equalizer; making human distinctions no longer important. Baptism is the rite whereby the Gentiles are made sons and daughters of Abraham and Sarah; heirs according to promise. Titus reminds us that we are saved not because of deeds done on our part, but solely on the basis of God’s goodness, mercy and loving kindness. How are we saved? Through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Justified by grace, we become heirs in the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure (Titus 3:4-8a)! The baptized devote themselves to good works. Martin Luther writes: “You are saved by faith alone, but if faith is alone, it is not faith.”
The letter of I Peter is a baptismal homily, reminding persecuted Christians that they have been sprinkled with the blood of Jesus and set apart for godly living as members of a royal priesthood. Sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever, we should not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that comes our way. Suffering, for Christians, is for just a little while, but the living hope and heavenly inheritance is forever. Baptism, which is prefigured in the Flood Story, now saves us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (I Peter 3:21). Baptism is our ordination into the priesthood of believers. We are servants of a new and better Covenant.
Having read and preached on the Book of Hebrews recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the word BETTER. Some scholars refer to Hebrews as the “Better” Book of the New Testament because the word “better” is used 13 times. Jesus is the better priest, sacrifice, mediator, hope and way. Why would anyone settle for an inferior when they’ve already got the Superior? Reflecting on “better ways” and the “priesthood of believers” I got to thinking about church life efficiency at Mount Cross. Currently, a church staff member makes dozens of phone calls every month soliciting worship helpers. What if we found a better way? Instead of one paid staff person making 50+ calls trying to solicit people for service, wouldn’t it be better to have the priesthood of believers call the church office and volunteer their time and talents? Imagine how much easier it would be if each member of Mount Cross called and said for example, “This is baptized Billy. I’ve got the spiritual gift of Scripture reading. I checked my calendar and here are the Sundays I have free for the next two months. When would you like me to use my gifts and read Scripture?” Instead of an office staff member trying to fill worship helper slots for the monthly calendar, members would be calling to offer themselves for service. I realize it’s just an idea, but for those who embrace a “better way” (Jesus), it might reduce the stress and workload of the office staff. Martin Luther writes: “There is enough in Baptism to study and practice our whole life.” From womb to empty tomb we are christened. Let the redeemed say, “I am baptized”.
Walking Wet,
Pastor Dave
