Discipling Part I: Baptizing *
(Jesus said), "Therefore go & make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father & of the Son & of the Holy Spirit . . . And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19, 20b
"By Baptism we are adopted & become children of the Heavenly Father, brothers & sisters of Jesus, & temples of the Holy Spirit. What an exciting thought! As members of His family, we receive His name & are called Christians. Living inside God's name, we share in all He is, & in all He does, & in all the household blessings, including eternal inheritance rights. A person baptized into the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit has received the highest privilege imaginable: full membership in the family of God That is often the first stage of being a disciple."
Many Lutheran churches use Palm Sunday as a confirmation day. As I sat in church last Sunday & observed 9 young disciples be confirmed, I experienced what I always experience when I see a confirmation ceremony. It is a great joy to see young disciples recognized for having completed instruction in the Christian faith & welcomed into "adult" membership in the Church. It is a sorrow to know that 50% of confirmands will stop attending church by the time they're 18, & another 25% will stop attending church by the time they reach their early 20s.
I've shared before that Lois & I always observed & still do our children's baptism birthdays. We have continued this custom with our grand-children. [I hope this doesn't sound too self-righteous.] I would like to see families today continually recognizing & celebrating with their children the power of Baptism & the strong connection between Baptism & confirmation.
"By Baptism we are adopted & become children of the Heavenly Father, brothers & sisters of Jesus, & temples of the Holy Spirit. What an exciting thought! As members of His family, we receive His name & are called Christians. Living inside God's name, we share in all He is, & in all He does, & in all the household blessings, including eternal inheritance rights. A person baptized into the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit has received the highest privilege imaginable: full membership in the family of God That is often the first stage of being a disciple."
MY MEDITATION
[I'm taking a break from using Martin Luther as an "inspiration" for my meditation.]Many Lutheran churches use Palm Sunday as a confirmation day. As I sat in church last Sunday & observed 9 young disciples be confirmed, I experienced what I always experience when I see a confirmation ceremony. It is a great joy to see young disciples recognized for having completed instruction in the Christian faith & welcomed into "adult" membership in the Church. It is a sorrow to know that 50% of confirmands will stop attending church by the time they're 18, & another 25% will stop attending church by the time they reach their early 20s.
I've shared before that Lois & I always observed & still do our children's baptism birthdays. We have continued this custom with our grand-children. [I hope this doesn't sound too self-righteous.] I would like to see families today continually recognizing & celebrating with their children the power of Baptism & the strong connection between Baptism & confirmation.
A Baptism Hymn **
"There is nothing worth comparing to this life-long comfort sure! Open-eyed my grave is staring; even there I'll sleep secure. Though my flesh awaits its raising, still my soul continues praising: I am baptized into Christ; I'm a child of paradise!
* I am posting a meditation for each day of Holy Week, plus Easter MON. Today's meditation is taken from Arrows of Light: Devotions for World-Wide Christians, by David Schneider. Morris Publishing, 2005.
** Adapted from: Lutheran Service Book, "God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It," #594, St. 5 (CPH, 2006)
** Adapted from: Lutheran Service Book, "God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It," #594, St. 5 (CPH, 2006)
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