Baptism is God’s Work

Stop.

Have you been to baptismal services at other churches? What were some of the distinctions you saw in different places?

Listen.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. – Ephesians 4:4-6

Reflect.

In Acts 8, which we’ll hear from in worship tomorrow, the apostle Phillip baptizes a man from a very different background and tradition. One of the remarkable things about this story is that Phillip doesn’t require the man to change anything about himself, doesn’t expect him to culturally assimilate to Phillip’s preferences, and doesn’t condemn him for his identity. Baptism is simply asked for and offered. God does the work. 

We don’t see that very often these days. In many ways, for many reasons, most traditions have boundaries and restrictions on who can be baptized, how, by whom, in what circumstances, when, and where. Most of the time, this is a simple reflection of differences in tradition. 

For instance, in our Lutheran tradition, only an ordained pastor can perform a baptism. We believe this is out of good order and reflects a pastor’s call to serve a church community in this particular way. However, we don’t think it’s the only way baptism can happen. In an emergency, particularly when someone’s life is at stake, anyone can perform a baptism. In this case, Lutherans depend more on the promise that baptism is God’s work than the expectation that a pastor be the one doing it. 

It’s understandable for a tradition to expect that a baptism be performed inside a building, after a proclamation of faith, by a family that is part of their congregation, or any other number of expectations. But we must always be careful that these things don’t ultimately prevent someone from getting baptized. While it can be meaningful to have boundaries that reflect the value and importance of the sacrament, the most important thing is always that people are welcomed into God’s family. 

As Ephesians affirms, there is one baptism, no matter where we’re baptized or by what person or through which tradition. At the end of the day, it’s always God’s work and God’s gift, and it unites us all.

Pray.

God, I repent of the ways I’ve tried to keep people out, either on purpose or with the best of intentions. Help me see that you are at work in many traditions, places, and congregations. Open my eyes to your Spirit’s work. Make me into a boundary-breaker for your sake, that all people would know your love. Amen.

Carry On.

Ask around! Talk to friends and family from other traditions. What do they believe about baptism? Who can perform baptism? Who can be baptized? Listen not to judge, but to learn how God is at work in their faith traditions.