Baptism changes us. We all...
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Baptism changes us. We all know that Jesus was baptized with water in the baptism of John, there at the Jordan River. Peter tells the crowd gathered at Cornelius' house that this physical baptism was an imminent manifestation of another baptism, a transcendent anointing with the Holy Spirit and with power.
You see, the physical baptism of Jesus left him wet, as does our physical baptism. (Some of us are left wetter than others, of course, depending upon our preferred form!) After a few minutes in the hot sun of Palestine, Jesus would have been pretty much all dried off, but the baptism with the Spirit and power doesn't leave Jesus wet, it leaves him changed. For that baptism is the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. That baptism marks the beginning of his purpose for being here. Peter tells Cornelius that from that moment on Jesus went about doing good, healing the sick, walking with God, calling the disciples to be witnesses to all that he did, including his death and his resurrection and its promise of salvation for all who believe. Baptism with water leaves you wet, but baptism with the Spirit and with power leaves you changed.
It is said that Martin Luther, wrestling with sin in his life, wrestling with temptation and fear, would find victory over these trials by touching his forehead and saying aloud, "I am baptized." Not "I was baptized," remembering a ritual from a distant past when his forehead was damp, but "I AM baptized," affirming the change that God works in us continually by the Spirit. Don't ever remember the water and say "I was baptized," but remember the power and say, "I AM baptized."
You see, the physical baptism of Jesus left him wet, as does our physical baptism. (Some of us are left wetter than others, of course, depending upon our preferred form!) After a few minutes in the hot sun of Palestine, Jesus would have been pretty much all dried off, but the baptism with the Spirit and power doesn't leave Jesus wet, it leaves him changed. For that baptism is the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. That baptism marks the beginning of his purpose for being here. Peter tells Cornelius that from that moment on Jesus went about doing good, healing the sick, walking with God, calling the disciples to be witnesses to all that he did, including his death and his resurrection and its promise of salvation for all who believe. Baptism with water leaves you wet, but baptism with the Spirit and with power leaves you changed.
It is said that Martin Luther, wrestling with sin in his life, wrestling with temptation and fear, would find victory over these trials by touching his forehead and saying aloud, "I am baptized." Not "I was baptized," remembering a ritual from a distant past when his forehead was damp, but "I AM baptized," affirming the change that God works in us continually by the Spirit. Don't ever remember the water and say "I was baptized," but remember the power and say, "I AM baptized."
