A Call For Water

 

A Call For Water

     The boiler in my church building is ancient.  Responsible for heating, it sucks in and boils to pump steam to the awaiting radiators.  When the acting level runs low, it calls for water to feed the system.  Hence, an automatic sensor pulls in, gating a desired amount.

     Baptism by water is considered automatic.  However, no formula guarantees a new believer’s success in “latching on.”  Moms can stimulate newborns to grab hold of the teat.  Similarly, the local church is commanded to assist.

Acts 8:36 “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

     No formula, yet there is a progression.  First, the individual is to believe.  Obvious by this verse.  Identification with Christ is meant for those who know what they are getting into.  So why do some churches baptize infants?  Good question.

     The mark of the old covenant was circumcision.  Poor little guys had no choice but to visit the doctor on the eighth day when their vitamin K level maxed.  The band struck up and celebrated a march all the way home.  Hooray!  Hurrah…  No mark in the flesh guaranteed Abraham’s bosom destination.  The procedure was more for the parents.  Yes, some were circumcised as adults but that was when God commanded obedience after neglect.  Abraham and company got it at the initial, but that was at point zero.

     Does water baptism equal circumcision?  Hardly.  The new covenant’s sign is communion.  A blessed sacrament meant for the reborn who know what they are doing.  Baptism follows conversion to testify of one’s allegiance to Christ.  So why babies?

Acts 16:14 “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15a And when she was baptized, and her household,”

     Is this the strongest argument for wetted children?  What if her household were all adults like mine?

     Baptism is a strong metaphor enacted.  With understanding crucial to propel a believer into boldness, water baptism reflects holy spirt baptism.  Upon receiving the Spirit, adoption means belonging to God.  Water baptism shows a new identity.

     We are not to force this step.  A new convert is to sense their new belonging.  Inner promptings of the Father guide the child to affirm physically.  A call for water is more than obedience to Christ.  Togetherness in tenderness is what He desires.

 

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