Baptism

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

This morning I read Chapters 18 and 19 of Acts.  Near the end of Chapter 18 we are introduced to Apollos, a Greek believer who is a powerful speaker for "The Way".  The text says that "Apollos was accurate in everything he taught about Jesus up to a point, but he only went as far as the baptism of John" (Acts 18:25, The Message paraphrase). The beginning of Chapter 19 goes on to explain what this means:

Now, it happened that while Apollos was away in Corinth, Paul made his way down through the mountains, came to Ephesus, and happened on some disciples there. The first thing he said was, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?"

   "We've never even heard of that—a Holy Spirit? God within us?"

 "How were you baptized, then?" asked Paul.

   "In John's baptism."

 "That explains it," said Paul. "John preached a baptism of radical life-change so that people would be ready to receive the One coming after him, who turned out to be Jesus. If you've been baptized in John's baptism, you're ready now for the real thing, for Jesus."

 And they were. As soon as they heard of it, they were baptized in the name of the Master Jesus. Paul put his hands on their heads and the Holy Spirit entered them. (Acts 19:1-7)

"Did you take God into your mind only, or did you also embrace him with your heart? Did he get inside you?"  These are the questions I have been trying to answer for myself for several years now.  I have often wondered whether I skipped a step on my walk of faith - as an infant I was baptized, however I now liken that to the "Baptism of John".  What about "the real thing", the baptism of Jesus?  Well, this weekend my friend Don and his family will be visiting us.  Don is an ordained minister and Director of Ministry Advancement at the Canadian Bible Society in Ottawa.  Don has graciously agreed to baptize me in the Bay of Chaleur on Saturday!  I am excited about this, and would appreciate your prayers.

Perhaps you can reflect on your own baptism and what it means that God chose you to be in His family.  If you haven't been baptized, perhaps you will consider it.

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace to you today,

Bruce

Almighty God, 

you anointed Jesus at his baptism 

with the Holy Spirit, 

and revealed him as your beloved Son; 

grant that we who are baptised into his name 

may give up our lives to your service, 

and be found worthy of our calling; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord 

who is alive with you 

in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

one God now and for ever. 

Amen. 

(http://www.liturgy.co.nz/reflection/561.html)

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca