Holy Baptism, February 16, 2020
Before celebrating a baptism, the priest approached the young father and said solemnly, "Baptism is a serious step. Are you sure you're prepared for it?"
"I think so" the man replied. "My wife has made appetizers and we have a caterer coming to provide plenty of cookies and cakes for our guests." "I don't mean that," the priest replied. "I mean, are you prepared spiritually?" "Oh sure," came the reply. "I've got a keg of beer and a case of whiskey."
That of course is a joke, but it is not funny. How many times have I baptized baby, attended a nice family party and then never see the people in church again?
Or how many times have I explained the promises that the parents and God-parents make for the child only to find out that they have no idea what they mean and have no intention of keeping them.
But today is different. Grandma and God-parents know what the promises mean and have applied them to their own life. In fact, Hailea has made them for herself twice. Once with Steve and once with me.
Our conformation class has been spending a lot of time on the third person of the trinity--God the Holy Spirit. Very often called the forgotten person of the Trinity.
The Holy Spirit is very busy, and very important. He has a lot of work cut out for Him. The most important one is to bring baptized Christians into a saving relationship with Jesus.
Our theology says that we receive the Holy Spirit at our Baptism.
Jesus was clear on the importance of the Holy Spirit: "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth...He will glorify Me because it is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you" (John 16:13-14). do you want to know what Jesus is saying to you as you journey through this life?
Do you want to be able to hear God's voice as you read through the pages of the Bible? It is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, who communicates all of that to you.
So as Hailea receives the Holy Spirit today, and all you who have already received Him at your Baptism, you are being led by the Spirit, you are being taught by the Spirit, you are being gifted by the Spirit and when you proclaim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it is proof that you belong to God forever.
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