“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
– Romans 6:3-5
Last Sunday at worship we focused on the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, hearing of the dramatic moment when Jesus rose up from the water, the heavens opened, and a voice from heaven spoke, saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
Most of us don’t have personal memories of our own baptisms, but we know that our parents and sponsors brought us to the font and made some very important promises on our behalf. At Confirmation, we made those promises as new adult members of the Church.
Fifty or more years ago, baptisms were not always part of a worship service, but was considered more of a private, family event and took place after the Sunday service or in the home. I was baptized in my parents’ living room, on a cold December day, with my parents, grandparents, and godparents present. My brother was baptized in the church, but in the afternoon, again with family and sponsors in attendance. I’m glad that our own children and our granddaughter were baptized during worship, surrounded by a congregation sharing in the joy of the occasion, music being sung, and smiling faces all around.
We Lutherans have two Sacraments — Baptism and Holy Communion. We participate in Communion weekly, but are only baptized once. To recite the Affirmation of Baptism at times throughout the church year is a reminder and a challenge to live our lives as disciples of Christ.
These verses from Romans can sound a little scary (baptized into death?!) but these strong words speak a strong promise — that of being united in Christ in a resurrection like his. Next time you walk past the baptismal font at the entrance to our sanctuary, take a moment to remember the promises we have made and that have been made to us.
Thanks be to God!
Mary Rogers