Just a place for an amateur internet archeologist, part-time mad scientist, full-time father and husband, pathfinder and theologian by trade (and insanity) to speak his mind in the struggle to be more outgoing.
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain or bear children for calamity, for they shall be the offspring of the blessed of the LORD, and their descendants with them. Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain," says the LORD. Isaiah 65:17-25
Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to Him with tambourine and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all His godly ones. Praise the LORD! Psalm 149
Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
"Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the Bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the Bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, 'Here is the Bridegroom! Come out to meet Him.' Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they were going to buy, the Bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with Him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But He answered, 'Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Matthew 25:1-13
One of the greatest corny films of all time features naval aviators. There are quite a number of "mistakes" the Hollywood flyboys make, but the most glaring one is a failure to keep their situational awareness. They don't "check six," look behind themselves. They rarely look to the sides. They hardly even look away from the gunsight directly in front.
Situational awareness is the ability to know what is going on around yourself. Applicable for drivers, people walking down the street, football quarterbacks, and the Church.
We are implored by the great Missionary to be fully aware regarding the day that the Lord returns. Things will not be "business as usual" at that point, and there will be signs, as we've seen in previous readings. But being ready is a bit more particular regarding the arrival of the Lord.
The Lord Himself likens the situation to young maidens waiting for the Bridegroom to arrive for the wedding. All of them brought lamps, so as to aid in being situationally aware should the wedding party arrive late into the night. This is good.
But not all of them were properly prepared. Five of them did not bring enough oil. It would be light a fighter pilot launching for patrol with almost empty tanks. All the situational awareness in the world is wasted at that point.
The other five, though, knew that it was best to be prepared, and brought extra oil. That way, when the inevitable happened and they fell asleep, they were able to go out and meet the Bridegroom when He arrived. The fact that their lamps had gone out was only a momentary inconvenience. But they were ready.
We are called to be like the five ready maidens. Not just ready, but ready and waiting. This is more than just "situational awareness." This is being semper paratus - "Always Ready."
This is summed up for us in 2 Timothy 4:2 - "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching."
No matter what happens, no matter where we are, we are to be ready to both proclaim our Lord's victorious return, and wait expectantly for it. Because we know it will be soon.
Ah, a favorite target of the radical reformed protestant: infant baptism.
(Following clear passages of Scripture is sooooo cool!)
Much like with the words of institution ("this is my body... this is my blood..."), members of churches that aren't labeled Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran, or Anglican tend to like attacking clear Biblical teachings. (There are some in those groups that attack as well, but official stance precludes such stupidity.)
(And I'm looking at you, ELCA, when I say that.)
A while back I read an article posted about how Christians should give up Lent for Lent. Overall, its clear the author didn't get why people do give up something in the first place. But I'm focusing on how they used the historic practice of infant baptism as a reason why people should reject giving up something for Lent.
(And, no, I'm not going to provide the link. Mostly because the article was dumb.)
I'll admit, I don't give up stuff for Lent. Mostly because I don't have the willpower and stamina to see it through, and I probably won't give up something substantial anyway. Besides, it's not something "necessary," unlike how Christ died for our sins, which is the point of Lent.
What does that have to do with infant baptism? Nothing. At all.
Except for the undeniable fact that through baptism we are joined to Christ's death, and that this baptism is for all people of all races and all ages - including infants.
Nowhere in Scripture does it teach that baptism is an outward sign of one's faith. Or a symbol. Or an act of obedience. Or that there are different versions. Or that you, the deadman, can choose it.
(Warning! This blog post, and this blog in general, is dangerous to the followers of the heterodox teachings of Arminius and Calvin.)
What Scripture does teach, with clear and understandable words, is that baptism saves you, regardless of your age, gender, race, nationality, political affiliation, job, tax bracket, hair style, language, music preference, or shoe size. An infant being brought to baptism in the Triune name of God receives the exact same baptism received by the people at Pentecost, by the Ethiopian eunuch, and by Cornelius.
If you are one of those who find yourself antagonistic to this historic and undeniably biblical practice and currently find yourself feeling a bit more like an irate Dr. Bruce Banner, I'm not sorry.
And why should I be? Why should I be sorry for proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ? Why should I be sorry for reading Scripture and believing it means exactly what it says? Why should I be sorry for wanting to provide my children with the same saving faith I was raised in? Why should I be sorry for not rejecting my Lord's command but following it to the letter?
It's the antagonists to this time-honored and biblical practice that should be sorry***.
Don't believe me? That's fine. I'll stop using my words, and simply use the words of God. Here are some passages about baptism. (And, in reality, opponents of this using the line "you have your passages that support you're belief and we have ours" are dumb. Because we Lutherans have all the passages supporting us. This is just the quick list for those who do not have the time for a full-bore exegetical study.)
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21
Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:3-8
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."Mark 16:16
And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." Acts 2:38-39
In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses. Colossians 2:11-13
There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name. Acts 22:16
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:5-6
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:25-27
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 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, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:27-29
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. 1 John 5:7-9
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
To be honest, this list alone should be enough, without any explanation, context, or defense. And yet, there are "Christians" who make it necessary to stand up for the biblical and historic practices of the Church Catholic.
(And before anyone gets their big kid skivvies in a twist, I did not say "Roman Catholic Church." The RCC is a specific denomination within the Church Catholic. The word "catholic" means "universal." Its a descriptor for how the Church transcends human labels and organizations. Call it the "True Church" or "Unified Church" if you'd rather.)
I don't get why people are so opposed to the practice of baptizing infants. (Okay, so that's a lie, I do get it, hence why I'm writing about it.) Especially groups like the Anabaptists and the Baptists. For crying out loud, guys, the term "baptism" is in your groups' names. How is it you don't get it?
(On the left we have the "believer's baptism." On the right we have the traditional practice of baptism, including infant baptism.)
I'm assuming the people who oppose it "don't get it" instead of "reject it" under the assumption found in Walther's XX thesis, which basically says "don't assume heresy when ignorance is an option." Basically, I'm calling y'all just dumb enough to not see what's obvious.
And in this sort of apologetic duel, that's being mighty generous. (Especially since a fair number of those who don't "get it" are, in fact, flat out rejecting it because it doesn't fit in their narrow, twisted, egotistical view of what the Bible means.)
Enough munching on appetizers, how about the main course? Where to start, though? Remaining consistently with my standard operating procedure, I'll start with as a foundation and standard the words of my Lord, so as to not inadvertently call Him a moron.
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."Mark 16:16
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."Matthew 28:19-20
*mic drop
Seriously, what more do we need?
How about some context? Both Mark 16 and Matthew 28 are describing the last commands of Jesus to the disciples before His ascension. Jesus commands us to baptize "all nation." The implication here is "everyone," meaning from the littlest babies to cantankerous old dudes.
I've heard it argued that the word order is important. "Think about it. In Mark it clearly says 'believes and is baptized.' You've gotta believe first, then be baptized."
Sure. If word order mattered then in the same way it does now.
It didn't in the original Greek. And even more damning, notice that in Matthew it says to baptize before teaching the newly baptized believer to observe all Jesus taught. Which totally blows out of the water the notion that you have to choose to be baptized after coming to faith.
Don't get mad at me. Those are the words of Jesus Christ blowing holes in the notion of the believer's "baptism."
So word order doesn't matter (unless context supports it), since both verses describe the exact same event in history. Jesus was instructing His disciples on how to grow the church. The Mark text explains what baptism does, while Matthew prescribes what to do as part of evangelism.
And it should be noted that Mark 16:9-20 are not in the earliest of manuscripts. The earliest we see this section referenced is in the writings of Justin Martyr in the mid second century. That doesn't mean it wasn't written by Mark, or that it shouldn't be in the Bible, or that it isn't Scripture. What that presents is an interesting conundrum for the proponent of the believer's "baptism." Justin Martyr notes it in a work dating from around the AD 160. Assuming Mark was first written no later than AD 70, that's 100 years without a Scriptural reference telling the Church that people are supposed to believe before they are baptized.
(I think I need a second mic to drop.)
Let's move on, then, to the next in line, chronologically. And the one that most synergists prefer.
And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." Acts 2:38-39
Isn't it great to see an oaf become eloquent?
A few verses later Luke notes that around 3000 are added to the faith. He specifically says "souls." Not "men," not "people," not "adults." Souls. A word that is feminine, and in the plural form in this usage. No age denoted, nor any other qualifier. So, using an argument from silence, how do we know that there weren't children included in that initial 3000 addition?
And, yes, St. Peter says "repent and be baptized" in response to the question of "what should we do." Which makes sense. He's speaking to adults, specifically the heads of households who would have brought their families with them to Jerusalem to celebrate one of the major holy days. And who are the heads of households back in the day? Men. So we could argue that only 3000 men were baptized. Only later verses make it clear that when the head of the household was baptized, the whole house (women, children, servants) was with him. And Luke would have noted it, just as it is noted at the mass feeding. "5000 men, not counting women and children."
It makes sense to say "repent and be baptized" to an adult, who has been brought to contrition by the preaching of the Law. That's SOP. Peter just noted how everyone's gonna die and go to hell, and they killed Jesus, the Messiah. Their reaction makes sense.
Don't miss the last sentence, though. "For the promise is for you and for your children..." The Greek word there for children is τεκνον ("teknon" plural form). Its the generic word for "kids," from newborn to teenager; basically anyone who isn't an adult. This promise, which either means baptism, the forgiveness of sins, or the gift of the Holy Spirit, (or, more accurately, both) is for everyone.
If the promise St. Peter notes is baptisms, why is anyone opposing infant baptism?
If the promise St. Peter notes is the forgiveness of sins, then we're assuming children are sinless, which contradicts clear passages of Scripture that make it painfully obvious that all have sinned, due to being tainted by Original Sin.
If the promise St. Peter notes is the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is necessary for faith in Christ, then why bother teaching children about Jesus at all?
I'm gonna stick in Acts for a moment, before tackling the words of Peter himself. But, first, a note of caution to any who are not of an exegetical background. The book of Acts is not a prescriptive book. That is, Acts was not written to give us instructions on how to do, but rather an account of what was done. It is descriptive. "This happened, and then this happened, and then..." Much like the books of history in the Old Testament, Acts tells us the history of the faithful.
The next two passages are in Acts and therefore descriptive. After that, all the rest on the list are prescriptive.
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name. Acts 22:16
On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. Acts 19:5-6
In chapter 22, Paul is recounting his own conversion, citing the words of Ananias. According to this, the early Believers thought that baptism washed away sins. It wasn't seen as some symbol of dedication, but as an action that accomplished something.
In chapter 19, St. Paul baptized a group who had not yet been baptized. Now, if you read just a few verses earlier, you'll see that they were baptized in the manner of John. Which Paul basically says is nothing but a confession and absolution. It doesn't count as an actual baptism - a baptism of the Holy Spirit. Does that mean that St. Paul and the rest of the early Church did not use immersion in baptism?
I bet they didn't, since Luke does not note the seeking of a large enough water supply to dunk 3000 people. Nor does it say anything about the size of the water supply available to Philip. Just that there was water. And if they were on a desert road, I'm willing to bet it was an oasis or a well, which means it was extremely valuable, and neither man would have dared to contaminate it by standing waist deep in the water.
Before we get to the descriptive texts, I'm going to do a "drive-by" word study on the term "baptism." Because usually after a statement like the previous paragraph, the proponent of the believer's "baptism" will say something like "the word 'baptism' means washing by immersion in Greek." Perhaps in ancient Greek, like what Leonidas spoke. But in Koine Greek the verb βαπτιζω ("baptizo") does not imply immersion. Especially in the context of Jewish ritual washing. Now, consider, the ritual washing required flowing water. Water doesn't flow if it is sitting in a bowl or basin for something to be dipped in. Water must be poured over. The word baptism in Koine Greek is the same as the word "wash" in English today. I wash my hands, I wash my car, I wash my clothes. Same verb, very different methods.
(Baptism VBS style?)
Now, on to St. Peter.
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 3:21
Sounds like Pete was remembering his "Psalms by David" album growing up. "Appeal to God for a good conscience" sounds like an echo of "create in me a clean heart."
Most of us who use this as a proof text simply focus on the phrase "now saves you." And it is true that it's the operative part of the sentence. Remember, Peter's comparing the action of baptism to the account of Noah and the flood. We are saved from death through water. Its not a ritual washing, like what the Jews would do, which only cleans the outside of a person, "white washing" the tomb they are, but a "renewal of a right spirit within." This only matters in connection to the resurrection of Christ.
But St. Peter isn't the heavyweight writer of the New Testament, that would be St. Paul. A man who was without parallel in the early Church leadership. This guy was a leading official in the Jewish religion. He had entire books of the Bible memorized. That's why he was so well equipped for ministry, and for writing. All that symbolism, all that history. All for us to understand.
In Him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses. Colossians 2:11-13
Paul knew his symbolisms well. He knew that circumcision was a mark of God's salvation, both as an outward (if momentarily painful and embarrassing) sign and as a marking of a covenant with God. And like a good teacher, he started with what his students already were familiar with and built from there.
Circumcision was a sign of God's covenant with the people of Israel, marking them as set apart to be a sojourning holy nation among the pagans. Likewise, baptism sets us apart as the people of God, a priesthood of all believers sojourning among the nations. However, circumcision was only a mere sign. It was a type and shadow of a greater thing to come. That thing was death. Specifically the death of Christ, which paid for our sins. St. Paul notes that via the waters and the Word of baptism we are connected to the atoning sacrifice. And not just that, but the resurrection as well. That what baptism does.
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11
Paul also connected the act of baptism with the ritual washings that Jews, or even Gentiles, would have known. Remember the washing of the disciple's feet? That sort of thing is what St. Paul was using as imagery. Read through what Jesus says to Peter when our favorite oaf objects to his Lord stooping to wash his muddy feet. See the parallel with baptism? This verse is what baptism does. It washes, sanctifies (makes us holy), and justifies (makes us righteous) through the name of our Triune God.
Is there any question that baptism saves? Sanctified and justified are the operative words, and while they go together, they are different. Sanctification is being made holy, while justification is being made right according to the law. You can't have one without the other. Think of it this way: Sanctification makes us right with God, justification with our neighbor. There is more to it than that, but thats the soundbite version.
But this is extremely straight forward. We were baptized into Christ.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:27-29
"Aha! See, 'there is no male and female.' That means-"
I'm not tackling the can-o'-worms that is women's ordination. Some other day.
But the naysayers would love to use Galatians as a "gotcha." And at face value that makes sense. Paul listed a bunch of stuff that we are not. His list makes it seem like there isn't a requirement for what it takes to be a Christian.
Oh, wait, don't the opponents of infant baptism say that there are requirements a believer must achieve before being baptized? Like being able to make a public profession of their faith during the "altar call?"
(Running out of mics here.)
The Galatians text is the "proof" that baptism is a means of grace, a Sacrament. We are, through baptism, connected to Christ's death and resurrection. And what does it take to be baptized?
Only men? Nope, women get baptized too.
Gotta be Jewish first? Nope, Gentiles welcome too.
Only free men? Tell that to Onesimus.
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22
Oh, look, a "bazinga" text. "With our hearts sprinkled clean..." Yep, that's right, it says sprinkled.
(Well, too bad, you can't have any.)
No, not that kind of sprinkles. The word in Greek is from ραντιζω (rhantizo), which means to sprinkle, to cleanse by sprinkling, hence to purify, cleanse [definitions are from Blue Letter Bible website, though my Nestle-Aland lexicon agrees].
This word is used to describe the sprinkling of blood from a sacrifice on the altar. So the author to the Hebrews used that term, insufficient as the shadow was, to describe baptism. Not pour, not dunk, sprinkle. Does that mean one is preferred? Not really. Though sprinkling does require the least amount of water. Efficiency for the win.
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4
Okay, back to St. Paul (unless you hold to the idea that Paul wrote Hebrews). Paul's not even trying to be sneaky here. He's straight up saying that the parting of the Red Sea was baptism. And incredibly, there's a reference to the Lord's Supper in this passage too. Hmm, sacraments go hand-in-hand. Who would have thought?
Regardless of what symbol is being used, it should be clear what they are all connected to: Christ. Without Christ, there is no baptism. All theology is christology, after all.
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:5-7
How 'bout I drop the other shoe first, just for variety. We are not saved by works.
Psst! Infant baptism naysayers... the "believer's baptism" would be a work.
And here's another convoluted discussion that, while very worthwhile, there is not time for at the moment. Especially since works are not "pointless," nor are they "necessary." This, along with passages from James and Ephesians, leads to some contention (<- understatement), especially regarding a minor squabble during the 1500s in Germany.
For there are three that testify: the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that He has borne concerning His Son. 1 John 5:7-9
It's not just mere water, this baptism, as some who oppose it claim. They even go so far as to claim infant baptism is a "work of man" not in the Bible. If we are honest, the argument is which teaching is Biblical and which is an invention of man. Often this is where people appeal to various early Church teachers. Though, if we're honest, not a single Church Father prior to the Councils was opposed to infant baptism. And the few who seem to be were not orthodox. The only reason their position is noted is because they were heretics being written against, not a majority position.
But the vast majority of teachings against infant baptism originate from the time period between the Renaissance and the Age of Enlightenment. "Testimony of men," indeed. Everything in the Scriptures has pointed to baptism connecting to Christ's death. So what is to be believed? The Scriptures, or a testimony of men?
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 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, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:1-4
This is more of "what baptism does" than "who is to be baptized." But it is something to be contended with. If we believe that the Bible is to be taken "at its word," then isn't the phrase "baptized into His death" literal?
Most who oppose infant baptism do so by making baptism nothing more than a "symbol of obedience." They claim it hasn't any "special power" or is even necessary for salvation.
And, yet, clearly St. Paul thinks that the act of baptism directly connects a believer to the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Logically, it would follow, that without baptism, we cannot be raised from the dead.
I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Ezekiel 36:25-27
God, speaking through the prophet Ezekiel, is making it clear that He uses water to cleans people from their sin. The Children of Israel experienced this when they crossed the Red Sea and the Jordan River. Notice, the word used is "sprinkle." Not "dunk," not "immerse." Does that prove that sprinkling is the only way? No. But it is interesting.
The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:17
Revelation is full of symbol and metaphor, but most of the verbiage used has some connection back to something previously said. When else have we heard of the "water of life?"
Back in John chapter 4, when Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well. The Messiah is described as the "water of life." If baptism is what we believe it is (a means of grace for the forgiveness of sins), then we are literally receiving Christ through it.
There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:4-6
There are some who think that there are "different baptisms." And, in a way, there is. There is a true baptism, and a false baptism. Many who claim to be theologians will say that if a believer hasn't had a "baptism of the spirit" or if they were baptized by a Catholic/Lutheran/Orthodox/(anything not Non-demon) has not had a "proper baptism."
St. Paul would disagree.
So long as the baptism performed is the same baptism taught by Christ to the Apostles, then it is a baptism. If the words "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" are spoken, it is a true baptism. Anything else is not a gift of God, but an attempted work of self-righteousness.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27
The operative words when baptism is "by the washing of water and the word." You have to have both. Not because the water is anything special, other than it was the material Christ chose. But you must have both.
Without the water, it is not a baptism.
Without the words of Christ, it is not a baptism.
You cannot be baptized only in the name of Christ, or in the name of the "mother, daughter, and the spirit," or some other nonsense.
Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."John 3:3-8
And last, but never least, is the most well known word on baptism. Straight from the Savior's mouth. Nicodemus is right to question how someone can be born again. It is physically impossible. And since it is physically impossible, the God of the Universe established an alternative method.
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Taken at face value, it is clear that Jesus is saying that without baptism it is impossible for anyone to be in Heaven. You must be baptized, it is a requirement.
"But what about the thief on the cross," you may ask. Again, notice "born of water and the Spirit." What is the "water?" Mere dihydrogen monoxide (or, more scientifically, H2O)? Or is it the Living Water? Both? Because the thief on the cross received a direct promise from the Word of God Himself that he would be in paradise that very day.
And that is probably why some in Lutheran circles consider the "thief on the cross" argument to be a red herring. Not because it isn't a worthwhile discussion, but because it questions the majesty of God. How? Simply, the person who is saying that the thief on the cross is proof that infant baptism is not where faith starts is saying, ultimately, that God cannot do something.
Let that sink in. People who deny infant baptism are placing limits on God. We used to call that heresy.
Does that mean that God cannot save someone without baptism? Not at all. Because God is all-powerful. If He wills it, it is. And none of us are in position to question His will. However, we are bound by what has been revealed. He has told us that the manner of conversion is through baptism. Why they do we say "oh, that's not how it works, we can do it this way instead."
Baptism has always been understood as grace. Why would you deny anyone grace? Think of it like a seat belt in a car. If you know that it will protect you in the event of a crash, why wouldn't you wear it? And if you know that it will protect you in the event of a crash, and you are wearing one, why are you saying children should not wear one? Not just "they don't need to wear one," but "it is unethical for a child to wear one."
Let the truth behind the metaphor sink in a moment.
...
For those of you who are opposed to infant baptism, yes, I'm unapologetically calling you heretics and unchristian. Why? Because you are unilaterally declaring by authority you do not possess that some are to be barred from a gift of grace promised by God. And this declaration has no basis in Scripture, reason, or even common sense.
In the words of Lutheran Satire, the position of the anabaptists, arminians, and others who deny children the gift of God are "incredibly stupid."
I'll leave you with the words of Jesus on the matter, as encouragement for those who believe in the promise of God, and as a rebuke for those who deny the words of the Savior. (Please note, it was commonly thought of in the ancient world to consider the sea to be the gateway to hell.)
People were also bringing babies to Jesus for Him to place His hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”Luke 18:15-17
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."Matthew 18:5-6
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(FYI: I started work on this post early Lent, 2018. My first exegetical paper at Seminary was on the baptism of Christ, and got me digging into the language and grammar of baptism in Scripture. At some point, I'll put together a, hopefully, coherent post with those thoughts. Until then, I'll merely post this, as is. Most of the work was done prior to the move to seminary, so, pardon the dust.)
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, "Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." So Aaron said to them, "Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me." So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD." And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. And the LORD said to Moses, "Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, 'These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!'" And the LORD said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you." But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, "O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, 'With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.'" And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people. Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written. The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, "There is a noise of war in the camp." But he said, "It is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear." And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses' anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it. Exodus 32:1-20
"Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not. And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you? Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass, look away from him and leave him alone, that he may enjoy, like a hired hand, his day." Job 14:1-6
To the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the LORD? There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous. You would shame the plans of the poor, but the LORD is his refuge. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. Psalm 14
A Prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you! Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress! Incline your ear to me; answer me speedily in the day when I call! For my days pass away like smoke, and my bones burn like a furnace. My heart is struck down like grass and has withered; I forget to eat my bread. Because of my loud groaning my bones cling to my flesh. I am like a desert owl of the wilderness, like an owl of the waste places; I lie awake; I am like a lonely sparrow on the housetop. All the day my enemies taunt me; those who deride me use my name for a curse. For I eat ashes like bread and mingle tears with my drink, because of your indignation and anger; for you have taken me up and thrown me down. My days are like an evening shadow; I wither away like grass. But you, O LORD, are enthroned forever; you are remembered throughout all generations. You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. Psalm 102:1-13
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
"So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, 'Look, he is in the wilderness,' do not go out. If they say, 'Look, he is in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather."Matthew 24:15-28
Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them, "The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There!' for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." And He said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, 'Look, there!' or 'Look, here!' Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in His day. But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot– they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all– so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed."Luke 17:20-30
If there is one thing that people cannot escape, it is time. Whether it be the simple, steady, march of life from birth to death, an approaching deadline, or when the show ends. But what is to be done with that time?
The people of Israel foolishly, and intentionally, wasted their time chasing after false gods of their own creation. They looked elsewhere, and were caught unprepared when the Son of God appeared. What little they were looking for was the restoration of a kingdom long dead and a covenant long defunct. And what's worse is that the covenant they wanted restored was not the covenant God promised to them.
The disciples asked Christ about this kingdom coming, but were not expecting to get the right answer.
St. Paul tells us that we are to wait for this kingdom of God, watchful for the arrival of the Lord. Not that we would miss it, since His arrival will be such that no one will be surprised or think it is some kind of secret. But we do not know when He will return.
Christ makes that clear when He answers the disciples. It must have been frustrating for them to want to know and be told "no." No big and epic take-over, no secret rapture, no thousand year earthly throne. Just silence regarding the actual day, and hints of all the trouble we should watch for.
He does, however, make it clear that there are "hints" that the day is near. Wars, famine, tribulation, these are birth pains for the end. As things become more "terrible" we who believe should be working hard to bring the Gospel to the nations. But, then, like in the time of Noah those who are condemned will be taken, leaving the faithful to inherit the restored Creation.
But we are running on borrowed time and the Gospel must be proclaimed.
Among the assignments this last quarter I wrote an exegetical paper on the Baptism of Christ. It wasn't too difficult, just had to translate the original text, read through three (or more) commentaries, and figure out what is happening.
Just the translating alone revealed a lot, and the more I do, the more I wonder what the translators for the various "alphabet soup Bibles" are thinking. Matt. 3:9 is a good example of that.
It is equally frustrating how far too many think (incorrectly) that Matthew is a copy of Mark, instead of just accepting that, first, similarities of style does not automatically mean "copy," and second, that Matthew references places and events that demand the writing occur before the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD.
The false idea that baptism, even Christ's baptism, is an act of obedience is equally incorrect. Using the "logic" and "reason" of some theologians who think this would lead to having Christ as an inferior being to God the Father. Oh, the heresies that were born of that faulty notion. Adoptionism, Arianism, Monarchianism, Nestorianism, Sabelianism (aka: Modalism), even Pelagianism.
Read through it. Let me know what you think.
For those who are interested, I've included the list of resources I used. Some of these resources (like the lexicon) were really useful and good, while others (like Luz's work) was hit and miss.
Bibliography:
Danker, Frederick W, Walter Bauer, and William F Arndt. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3Rd ed. ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000.
Engelbrecht, Edward, and Paul E Deterding, eds. The Lutheran Study Bible : English Standard Version. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2015.
George, Augustin. Baptism in the New Testament : A Symposium. Baltimore: Helicon, 1964.
Gibbs, Jeffrey A. Matthew 1:1-11:1. Concordia Commentary. St. Louis, Mo.: Concordia Publishing House, 2006.
Gibbs, Jeffrey A. Matthew 11:2-20:34. Concordia Commentary. St. Louis. Mo.: Concordia Pub. House, 2010.
Nestle, Eberhard, Erwin Nestle, and Universität Münster. Institut für Neutestamentliche Textforschung. Novum Testamentum Graece. Edited by Barbara Aland, Kurt Aland, Karavidopoulos Iōan. D, Carlo Maria Martini, Bruce M Metzger, and Holger Strutwolf. 28. Revidierte Auflage = ed. Stuttgart: Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft, 2012.
Luz, Ulrich, James E Crouch, and Helmut Koester. Matthew 1-7 : A Commentary. [Rev. ed.]. ed. Hermeneia--A Critical and Historical Commentary on the Bible. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2007.
Mays, James Luther, Harper & Row, Publishers, and Society of Biblical Literature. Harper's Bible Commentary. San Francisco: Harper & Row, 1988.
Scaer, David P. Discourses in Matthew : Jesus Teaches the Church. Saint Louis: Concordia Pub. House, 2004.
Voelz, James W. Fundamental Greek Grammar. 2nd ed. St. Louis, MO: Concordia Pub. House, 1993.
White, R. E. O, Stanley E Porter, and Anthony R Cross. Baptism, the New Testament, and the Church: Historical and Contemporary Studies in Honour of R.e.o. White. Journal for the Study of the New Testament. Supplement Series, 171. Sheffield, England: Sheffield Academic Press, 1999.
Adam Baumann
Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fall Quarter, 2018-2019
29 Sept. - 9 Nov. 2018
Apparently mail service is slow here at boot camp.
Okay, so its actually more a case of 1) I've been forgetting to keep up with this stuff, even after saying I will, and 2) there's been more "immediate" issues, like writing papers and studying for tests.
But, now, the first quarter is over. All tests are done. All papers are graded and back.
Stuff has been busy. And it will only get more so. Hebrew and Homiletics are coming up next quarter, among others, but those are the most apparently daunting.
I'm really not sure what to expect for some of the classes coming up. But I'm also not worried.
Hebrew will be, like any language class, its own squirrelly challenge, but I'm taking it in Winter and Spring quarters instead of the 7-week sprint in Summer because it will be easier to chew on for me. I've had a little Hebrew exposure already, so like Greek I'm not jumping in blind. And what little I got to do clicked pretty quickly.
Homiletics is how to give sermons, primarily. So I'll get to learn how to stand up in front of a group and teach a coherent lesson. Sounds pretty similar to stuff I've done before. Just going to learn new styles and methods.
Confessions sounds pretty straight forward, being a study of the Book of Concord. I will admit, with a bit of shame, that I haven't cracked into that book enough in the last few years. Not because it isn't good, or I wasn't dedicating time to independent study, but I wasn't focusing on that corner of theology.
One class I'm not sure what to expect is "Confessing Christ in Today's World." It sounds a bit like a history class on one hand, while also sounding like "mission work."
As always, there is the "Field Education" class, though most of what we are doing this next quarter is reading "The Hammer of God" by Bo Giertz. I haven't read it yet, but heard a lot of good things.
I'll be getting to be more involved in my field work church next quarter as well. And at chapel. Having completed Liturgics, I'm now allowed to lead services. Just the "prayer services" like Matins and Vespers, since there is no Confession and Absolution or Communion. So at some point, possibly as early as Advent, I'll lead chapel service on campus. I'll be assisting the pastor at church as well, which means reading the lessons and helping with distribution of Communion.
We'll be back in Nebraska over the break, but since the quarter starts the last Monday of the month, we won't be home for Thanksgiving. Got to have enough time to get back with the whole crew and have sufficient sleep before classes start. (Though that doesn't bother me, since I'm not so enamored with the traditional Thanksgiving dinner.)
I can't promise I'll be timely with these Mail Call posts, but I intend to be on time with writing on the lectionary. Since we're going through the 3-Year Lectionary in Greek Readings, I'll be switching to that. I might not be posting all the readings, but since I'll be translating the Gospel reading each week, I will try to write primarily on them. And I'll post papers, snippets of readings and writings, and other interesting things that happens.
Just this quarter we had visiting speakers from South Sudan and Latvia. It is humbling to hear about the Church abroad, both in terms of their struggles and how they, in a way, are better than us in America. In Latvia the Lutheran Church is the largest denomination, but there are only around 100 pastors for nearly 300 churches. They are strong, but stretched thin. In South Sudan, like in much of Africa, the dangers of war and persecution means the church lives in, essentially, exile. Close to half the congregations are in refugee camps, and few dedicated church buildings exist at all. But in both nations the Gospel is being proclaimed with boldness.
Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in days of old, the generations of long ago. Was it not You who cut Rahab in pieces, who pierced the dragon? Was it not You who dried up the sea, the waters of the great deep, who made the depths of the sea a way for the redeemed to pass over? And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. "I, I am He who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, and have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, and you fear continually all the day because of the wrath of the oppressor, when he sets himself to destroy? And where is the wrath of the oppressor? He who is bowed down shall speedily be released; he shall not die and go down to the pit, neither shall his bread be lacking. I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar– the LORD of hosts is His name. And I have put my words in your mouth and covered you in the shadow of my hand, establishing the heavens and laying the foundations of the earth, and saying to Zion, 'You are my people.'" Isaiah 51:9-16
A Song of Ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:9-14
While He was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." And Jesus rose and followed him, with His disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I will be made well." Jesus turned, and seeing her He said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, He said, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at Him. But when the crowd had been put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district. Matthew 9:18-26
Unlike any other so-called "god," the one true God is merciful. Throughout history this is true.
We hear this proclaimed by prophet, psalmist, and pastor. But we see this in action with Christ. One of the most direct times is in the Gospel lesson. While teaching, the Lord is approached with a seemingly impossible request. The man's daughter has died, and he's asking Christ to bring her back to life.
It is quite the declaration of faith. It is one thing for someone to ask for food or healing, but quite another to ask for death to be reversed. This father is casting his last, and only, hope at Christ's feet, knowing all he can do in faith is beg for mercy, but has no right to do so.
Neither does the woman who touched His cloak. She knew she did not have the right to look Christ in the eye and beg for even a shred of mercy. But she trusted that God is merciful, and so in faith reached out.
Christ looked upon both the father and the woman with mercy. He did not tell them to first be rid of their sin, or to uphold the law. He did not give them orders to change their lives. He simply met them where they were, in the state they were in at that time, and was merciful.
God is merciful to us, poor sinful humans. This is not by any merit we have earned, nor because we have agreed to adhere to some covenant. God's mercy is not contingent on our obedience or our piety. This mercy is God's alone, and He freely gives it. That is why He says "take heart."
It is a command to look up, and see that God has turned His face to you, seen your plight, and has chosen, out of His infinite love, to love you.
Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads." And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: 12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed, 12,000 from the tribe of Reuben, 12,000 from the tribe of Gad, 12,000 from the tribe of Asher, 12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali, 12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh, 12,000 from the tribe of Simeon, 12,000 from the tribe of Levi, 12,000 from the tribe of Issachar, 12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun, 12,000 from the tribe of Joseph, 12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed. After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:2-17
Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the godly! Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre! For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation. Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands, to execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples, to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron, to execute on them the judgment written! This is honor for all his godly ones. Praise the LORD! Psalm 149:1-9
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure. 1 John 3:1-3
Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened his mouth and taught them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."Matthew 5:1-12
To quote Monty Python: "And there was much rejoicing."
(yay)
As today is the commemoration, and observation, of All Saints Day, the Beatitudes is fitting. Especially verse 4. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
The first word of this verse, as with these verses is μακάριοι ("makarioi"). Usually its translated as "blessed," but "fortunate" may be better in context. "Fortunate are the ones who mourn."
How in the world is that logical? Why would anyone consider it "fortunate" that they are mourning?
Comfort (from παρακαλέω) isn't the best translation, either. Why? Because the word in Greek quite literally translates to "call beside." To "parakaleo" is to change the status of the one being called. The "paraclete" changes the faithful in Christ.
So while now we live in this "veil of tears," remembering those who have gone before us, we will soon be most fortunate in that, in the blink of an eye, we will find ourselves and all believers in the new Creation.
And what is this new Creation? The land promised to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the humble ones in faith. This land is not the oft-fought strip of dirt on the east side of the Mediterranean Sea. It is not the territory once known as the Kingdom of Israel. It isn't even the rocky hill that Jerusalem sits on. That covenant was contingent on the people awaiting the Messiah and they failed. And so the Sinai covenant is null and void.
But that wasn't the covenant made to Abraham.
The land promised to Abraham is the new Zion; the Kingdom of God where all who believe in the Messiah will live. Not Jews, nor Gentiles, but Christians. But this is not merely a rebuilt Jerusalem. This is the restored Eden that our Parents were expelled from. The only people who will inherit the land promised to Abraham are those who have been brought to faith in Christ alone.
Not the law. Not their works. Not ethnic affiliation. Christ's death on the cross, which we are baptized into, and which we partake in at every Lord's Supper.
