From the Rev..."The Baptism of Our Lord"
I was “doubled dipped”, that is to say, I was baptized twice in my lifetime. As an infant, I was baptized in the Presbyterian Church, USA and as a sophomore in High School, I was baptized once again. (My first baptism was not recognized by the congregation to which we were seeking to belong at the time). I believe that once baptized, always baptized. Indeed, my first baptism did “stick”. Christians of varying denominations have differing understandings of what baptism means…Here is what baptism means to me as a member of the Body of Christ in the Presbyterian Church, USA denomination…
“In our Baptism, the Holy Spirit binds the Church in covenant to its Creator and Lord. The water of Baptism symbolizes the waters of creation, of the flood, and of the Exodus from Egypt. The water of Baptism links us to the goodness of God’s creation and to the grace of God’s covenants with Noah and Israel. Prophets of Israel, amidst the failure of their own generation to honor God’s covenant, called for justice to roll down like waters and righteousness like an everflowing stream. (Amos 5:24) They envisioned a fresh expression of God’s grace and of creation’s goodness — a new covenant accompanied by the sprinkling of cleansing water. In his ministry, Jesus offered the gift of living water. So, Baptism is the sign and seal of God’s grace and covenant in Christ” (Book of Order, W-2.3003).
“Baptism enacts and seals what the Word proclaims: God’s redeeming grace offered to all people. Baptism is God’s gift of grace and also God’s summons to respond to that grace. Baptism calls to repentance, to faithfulness, and to discipleship. Baptism gives the church its identity and commissions the church for ministry to the world” (Book of Order, W-2.3006). (taken from the www.pcusa.org website)
On January 15, 2012, the community of faith at WBPC celebrates not only the Baptism of our Lord, Jesus the Christ, but our own baptism as well. “Remember your baptism”, Martin Luther, the great Reformation leader always said, “Remember your Baptism!” I hope you remember your Baptism and how gracious God has been and continues to be in your life, now, throughout this New Year 2012 and forevermore!