Baptism and the Holy Spirit

The Readings

The New Testament
Acts 8:14-17


When the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit (for as yet the Spirit had not come upon any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.


The Gospel
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22


As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered all of them by saying, "I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."

The Sermon

People were saying, “maybe John is the one!” After all he acts and talks like the messiah we have envisioned. He certainly sounds like a prophet. He tells people to end their evil ways or face eternal consequences.

Then when he is asked that very question, he answers unequivocally no! Not just no but, I am not even close, no! Then, the reading from Luke jumps to Jesus and his baptism. Something astounding happens! The sky opens up, the Holy Spirit descends on him in bodily form like a dove and a voice says, “You are my son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

This story continues by telling us that Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides him into the desert where he fasts, he prays, he meditates, and he is tempted by Satan.

What do we take away from this story. To me I see this image of John who, even though he may have some of those messianic characteristics, says no, its not me. Then along comes Jesus who doesn't fit the profile of a messiah, at least in the eyes of those who are wanting the violent overthrow of the Roman overlords.

Jesus turns out to be the one! He will save the world, at least those of us who have come to believe. He does not end all human suffering. The world will still be kind of an icky place where we will struggle. Some may not have enough food or a safe place to live. Earthquakes and other natural disasters will come and there will be sickness and plague.

Jesus was and is the Messiah for our eternal souls. Jesus wants us to join him in a relationship and he wants that relationship to include not only him, but also the Father and the Holy Spirit..

In today's reading from Acts, John and Peter went to Samaria and prayed that the Holy Spirit would enter the lives of the recently baptized. That is what we do at baptism. We ask God the Holy Spirit to come into us. To be fully a part of us and to guide us in all that we do.

I have had the honor and pleasure to baptism several of you. The sacrament of baptism is a powerful event. On this day we traditionally revisit that event and renew those baptismal vows. Lets do that now. Please turn to page 292 in The Book of Common Prayer and we will renew our baptismal vows. This can be a very powerful experience. I ask that you think deeply about the words we will be reading.

Just as in any vow, there is a pledge of commitment to do the things that we say we will do. Please reflect on that commitment as we renew our vows.

Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil.
Candidate	I do.
Bishop
Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
Candidate
I do, and with God's grace I will follow him as my Savior and Lord.

After all have been presented, the Celebrant addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
People	We will.
The Celebrant then says these or similar words
Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.

Holy Baptism    303

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The Baptismal Covenant

Celebrant	Do you believe in God the Father?
People	I believe in God, the Father almighty,     creator of heaven and earth.
Celebrant	Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People	I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,     He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit         and born of the Virgin Mary.     He suffered under Pontius Pilate,         was crucified, died, and was buried.     He descended to the dead.     On the third day he rose again.     He ascended into heaven,         and is seated at the right hand of the Father.     He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Celebrant	Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People	I believe in the Holy Spirit,     the holy catholic Church,     the communion of saints,     the forgiveness of sins,     the resurrection of the body,     and the life everlasting.
Celebrant	Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?
People	I will, with God's help.
Celebrant	Will you persevere in resisting evil, and , whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People	I will, with God's help.

304    Holy Baptism

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Celebrant	Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People	I will, with God's help.
Celebrant	Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People	I will, with God's help.
Celebrant	Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People	I will, with God's help. Amen