“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” – 1 John 3:1 NIV
Baptism is not magic. Baptism is a sacrament, an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual gift of God (grace). Magic is an act by which we seek to control things. (Think of magic spells, etc.) A sacrament is an act by which God seeks to bless us, particularly an act that Jesus instituted and told us to repeat. In the view of the United Methodist Church there are two of these acts: Baptism and Holy Communion.
When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove and a voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my Son, whom I love” (Matthew 3:17). When we are baptized into Christ we share in this same blessing. God claims us as siblings of Christ and a part of God’s family, the church.
Aside from the command to baptize “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”, Jesus gives us no instruction on how to baptize. He commands no specific place or time or method, so baptisms at Resurrection Church take place in many different ways.
On July 20th at 11:00 am we will have the baptismal tank set up in the church yard for any who wish to be baptized by immersion. If you prefer not to be immersed but to have the water poured over you, you can be baptized that way instead. Adults and children are welcome.
If you have already been baptized and claimed as one of God’s own, you may choose to use that day to reaffirm your baptism and renew your baptism vows. The water will be available for all who wish to do this as well. There will be a baptism class on Sunday, July 13 at 11:00 to go over the meaning of baptism, the process for the 20th, and to answer any questions you might have. If you are unable to attend the class but are still interested in being baptized, contact me and we can walk through it by phone or set a time to meet in person.
To prepare for the 20th, it will be helpful for people to let us know of their intentions ahead of time. You can sign up in the lobby of the church or online.
Have a wonderful week,
Pastor Mark