CD - What Is Baptism - Acts 2:38-39

Baptism is what God does, what God gives, and what we are given. Baptism is not what we are doing, because, in an of ourselves we can do no good thing. Unfortunately, there are many who believe that Baptism is something that we are doing and that we are doing it to show God what we have done. Notice, then, that the focus is inward, on self and not on God. If the focus in on self and not on God then it is not God who is giving and doing, but we who are giving and doing. And if we are giving and doing, then it is not a Baptism, at least not in the sense that God gives us Baptism. God’s Word is very clear concerning the matter that in Baptism we are being given what God has promised to give.

The Baptism of a child is the best example of what truly happens at Baptism. When a child is Baptized, what does that child do? Nothing, except lay passively and be given the gifts that God has promised to give. When a child is Baptized he is given faith, right then, right there. She is given forgiveness of sins. He is given a place in heaven. She is given new life, life here and life in heaven. He is given all the gifts and blessings God gives, right then and there at that moment.

We get all the gifts at Baptism. We are Baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Thus, we do not need a second Baptism, a “baptism of the Spirit,” because we already have been Baptized in the Spirit, with the Father and the Son. To say that we need another, or a second Baptism is to say that God did not get it right the first time. If God did not get it right the first time, who is to say He will get it right the second or third time. Or, if God did not get it right, who is to say that we will or would get it right if it depended on us. Thanks be to God that He is the Giver and we are the given to. Thanks be to God that He gets it right (of course He does, He is God, after all). Thanks be to God that it does not depend on us, but is all in His hands.

Baptism is God’s work, that is why it is a sacrament. Baptism is God’s work, that is why it works and accomplished what He has given to accomplish. Baptism does not depend on us, but on God and what He is giving. How comforting to know that we are in God’s hands, that His name is on us, that He has given us faith, that He has given us forgiveness, earned by Jesus death on the cross, that He gives us a place in heaven. How comforting to remember our Baptism and know that each day we can begin anew, sins forgiven, ready to live for God.

Dear Father, I thank You that You have given me all Your gifts and blessings through Baptism. Thank You that it does not depend on me, because I tend to falter. Thank You for Your gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation through Holy Baptism.. Help me daily to remember my baptism in order that daily I might be strengthened in my faith. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.