Pastor June-July 2004

                                      THE IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM

         ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (‘Matthew 28:19)

         Baptism is commanded and instituted by God. Jesus was baptized by John in the River Jordan. Paul was baptized after he became a believer, countless others were baptized into the faith according to God’s command. The verse from Matthew, quoted above, is a command. Baptism is a mark of our discipleship. Part of that discipleship, or being followers of Christ, is to make other disciples, teaching them and telling them the good news of the Gospel promise, and through baptism in the name of the Trinitarian God.

              As Lutherans, Baptism is one of only two Sacraments that we recognize in our church, and regularly practice. Baptism is the first of the two Sacraments which we encounter on our spiritual journey. The Lutheran church traditionally baptizes infants, but the Bible and Confessions of the Lutheran Church clearly invite believers of all ages to the font. Baptism is our invitation into a life with Christ. Promises are made by parents and sponsors at the baptism of an infant. Those same promises are made by older children and adults at their own baptism, and affirmed by all at Confirmation.

              Martin Luther states that baptism is “the doorway to all of God’s possessions and to the communion of all the saints.” In other words, baptism is the doorway, the entrance, to the Christian faith. It is the ceremonial rite where Christ bids us “Welcome!”

              It is only fitting, therefore, that the baptismal font be constantly full of water, as a visible sign of our own baptism. A visible sign of the dying and rising again provided through our own baptism. A visible sign of the waters of eternal life given so graciously by our God; each Sunday we remember our baptism as we come together to worship the same God that gave each of us new life through our baptism. In baptism, we are washed clean of our sins and claimed by God as God’s own.

              It is also fitting that the font has a prominent place within the assembly of worshipping believers EVERY Sunday. I stand beside the baptismal font, often dipping my hand into the water, before making the sign of the Cross to begin our worship services and invite all believers to confess their sins to God. Confessing our sins at the beginning of the service brings us back to our own baptism. The prominence of the font in a “front and center” position, the constant presence of water in the font, and the cover remaining off the font serves to invite each of us to remember our own baptism. Baptism is not just a one-time event in our lives. While the physical act of baptism is a one-time event, we are encouraged to remember our baptism frequently. To daily’ die and rise again in the baptismal waters of new life. To reflect on what a wonderful gift we were given in that baptism into Christ’s family, and the eternal promises given to us by God through the waters of baptism.

              A hidden, covered, and empty font serves no one; reminds no one of God’s gracious act of welcoming each of us into God’s family. A prominent, open, and overflowing font teaches us to daily remember all of God’s gifts. It keeps us accountable to God’s command to make disciples and baptize all nations. And, perhaps most importantly, invites newcomers into the Christian faith by placing an emphasis on baptism as the entrance rite into the faith.

         “The one who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

Pastor Leah