Observation: Paul meets some disciples of John the Baptist in Ephesus. They have not heard that John saw himself as the precursor to the Messiah, Jesus. Paul explains that John's baptism was for repentance: a human promise to change one's ways to prepare for the Messiah. But baptism in Jesus' name is something else. It's a promise from God, that you are forever connected to Christ, and receive his Spirit: the Holy Spirit. Sure enough, when the disciples are baptized in Jesus' name, the Holy Spirit comes.
Application: There are a lot of things we can do to repent, turn over a new leaf and change our behavior. We can change our routines. We can find a person or group to hold us accountable. We can practice mindfulness and consider what thoughts enter our mind before we speak or act. We can pray and read scripture daily (you'd think five snow days in a row would help me with that, but you'd be wrong!) There are a hundred things we can do to change our ways and recommit ourselves to God. But baptism isn't one.
I know Christians aren't all on the same page with baptism. Some do believe it's just an outward sign of an inward faith commitment a person makes. That it's all human action, that a person has to take for her or himself. As a Lutheran, I don't share that view.
We believe baptism is all God's action. God's promise, in Christ Jesus. It happens once, because God's action does not fail. God doesn't need to make a resolution every January to be your Father. God has always been your Loving Parent. Baptism gives us the Holy Spirit, who helps us repent now and again, but baptism itself doesn't require repentance. That was John's baptism: a stopgap measure, to get us ready for the real thing. All baptism in Christ requires is God's "yes." And God never, ever says no.
Prayer: Thank you God for the gift of my baptism. May your Holy Spirit transform me, and help me repent when needed. Amen.
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