On many Sundays I find pastors telling me “Remember your baptism!” Sometimes water is poured into the font. Sometimes there is a bit of liturgy. But what do we remember, really? I hang around Presbyterian churches. Most of the people around me were baptized as infants. How many secretly respond Nope! Can’t remember a thing about it.” Even […]
Why Do Christians Talk So Much about “Blood” and “Spirit”? (The Baptism of the Lord via Heidelberg Catechism Q. 70)
This last Sunday in the Church year was “The Baptism of the Lord.” Jesus went down to the Jordan and had John baptize him. That act kicked off his public ministry. It also convinced Christians that we too should be baptized. As our bodies are washed with water, so God washes away all the guilt that […]
Advent 2: Thinking About John the Baptist (Heidelberg Catechism Q. 69)
On the second Sunday of Advent we continue to back our way toward Bethlehem. On Advent 1 we looked forward to the return of Christ. This week’s Gospel readings have us looking at our own experience: we remember our Baptism. John the Baptist greets us in the text, helping everyone prepare for Christ’s coming. He […]