Creekside Church Sermon of January 13, 2002 "Why Baptism?" Matthew 3:13-17	Rev. Dave Eis
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Do you remember your baptistm?

In the history of the Church of the Brethren one of the defining issues for the Brethren was baptism. In Europe during the 16th century there were groups of people who were referred to as the Anabaptist, which literally meant to re-baptize. It was believed and backed up by scripture that since the people who chose to follow Jesus chose as adults to become obedient disciples, infant baptism was invalid. Therefore, these close communities wanted to be re-baptized. Furthermore, they did not choose to have their children baptized as infants. These peaceful, groups of believers posed many problems for the governments as well as the church, which was an integral part of the government.

The law was that when children were born they were brought to the church and were officially named and baptized and registered with church and the state. When a child became the proper age to be drafted into the army, the government had a name and address of the child to contact and to pay taxes. Can anyone figure out why the Church of the Brethren might be in favor of separation of church and state? At our very earliest roots the state and the church were killing us because we had a different attitude towards baptism, participation in war, and paying taxes to support any war.

At that time, any group of people who were willing to defy the government and the church were easily found guilty of heresy and treason. The result was that once they were labeled as troublemakers they could precede with various kinds of persecutions and executions. When any group is labeled and demonized, then the dominant groups were justified in doing a large variety of things to destroy that group of people. Does any of that sound familiar? That sociological principle has not changed. Consider the Salem witch trials. Consider the driving of Native Americans from their land. Consider the struggles of the black population in America. Consider the "hippies of the sixties." The early Brethren had a nickname that they did not choose, Anabaptist. The Anabaptists were among the peasant population and the majority was uneducated. It was easy to demonize them and take the necessary steps to eliminate them. But they had a problem. The more the persecution the faster they grew. That should not surprise you; it was also true with the first century church. This is the root that produced the Mennonites, the Amish, the German Baptists, and the Church of the Brethren. These are the results of the Anabaptists. They are the ones who stood against the government and the social norms of the church to receive a "believers baptism."

But there was something that happened that was never intended in the Church of the Brethren. What was originally an act of courage became a source of pride. In their efforts to imitate Jesus in the sacred act of baptism, there was undue emphasis on the mode of baptism. The early baptism was called trine immersion. That is to say they wanted to recognize and be subordinate to all three figures of the Godhead, the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost. Maybe that is why we have so many sinus and adenoid problems. The great preachers, who were able to preach without notes for hours, would inevitably end up preaching on baptism, no matter what the topic was when they started. Most congregations required that new members be re-baptized if they had not received the authentic trine immersion baptism. Many of the founders of our Church in North America wrote extensively about the meaning of baptism. They included several important reasons.

1. A symbol of repentance
2. A symbol of our sins being forgiven and washed away
3. A commitment to radical discipleship
4. A commitment of loyalty not only to God but also to all members of the Christian faith.
5. It was a declaration that you are now a member of this particular Christian community, and vow to uphold each member in prayer and service and to seek God's direction collectively.

Now let me ask, which of these reasons for baptism require being baptized by immersion three times? None of them. However, it is important to acknowledge God's grace that comes to you. It is imperative that we acknowledge the inner change that comes with the decision to follow Jesus. It is natural that one would celebrate the receiving of the promise of life eternal. All of these things are important and that is why we have public baptism.

I would compare it to a wedding. When a person has gotten to know some one and chooses to spend the rest of their lives together, supporting each other and building each other up in love, they have a wedding ceremony. It does not matter where the wedding takes place. It doesn't matter about the words that are spoken, the songs sang, the poetry read. What matters is the depth of inner experience that makes the covenant between two people valid. The proof of authenticity is how one participates in the union that demonstrates the validity of the covenant.

Therefore, if a baptism is like a wedding, our salvation does not rest on the mode of baptism. It does not matter where we are baptized, the amount of water used, or the words that are used depict the situation. All that matters is what is on the inside. If there is no repentance, salvation will not come with a dozen baptisms. If there is no sincere desire to become a Christian disciple, baptism is a waste of time. If you have no desire to become a functioning member of a Christian covenant community, I believe your baptism is just meaningless show.

Every time we come to the Lord's Table for communion we should remember our baptism. Every time we come to the healing alter, we need to remember our baptism. Every time we feel guilty because of our inequity and tendency to drift away from our lives in Christ, we need to remember our baptism. It reminds of who we are and whose we are. It reminds us of our covenant with God,

I have been asked before if a person loves the Lord and is physically unable to go through the ceremony of baptism, will they be saved? My response is I believe that God can look upon the heart and become aware of that person's ability to be a faithful and responsible child of God.

In summary, baptism is extremely important and should be taken seriously. We need to remember our baptism and what it meant at the time and what it means for us now. We must never elevate the mode of baptism as a way of separating Christian believers. I propose that we adopt a frame of mind that would be an "attitude of baptism." An "attitude of baptism" would be to continually be aware of how our sinful nature has been atoned by a loving God and we humbly walk with him.

The true meaning of baptism is:
1. To be imersed in God's love (That is you invitation.)
2. A deep desire to follow Jesus.
3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit.

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