"Revisiting Baptism" | The Rev. Peter Sipple | February 21, 2021
“Revisiting Our Baptism,” a sermon by the Rev. Peter Sipple
Genesis 9:8-17 | 1 Peter 3:18-22 | Mark 1:9-15 | Psalm 25:1-9
We’ve had a lot of water descend on us in recent days, so it’s fitting that we reflect on the subject of Baptism. All three of today’s assigned lessons deal with the cleansing effects of water—starting with the deluge that wiped out life on earth to the spiritual cleansing of Jesus. In the Epistle for Lent I, drawn from the first letter of Peter, the writer lays out the benefits of Baptism: like the catastrophic, if metaphorical, flood that submerged life on earth after its sad beginnings, the waters of Baptism clean “not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience.”
Not as a removal of dirt but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, and the writer of First Peter adds “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Let’s think about that cause-and-effect. The Epistle suggests that in our natural state we are born with as-yet unformed consciences; we’re unable to distinguish between good and evil. This spiritual washing readies us to ask God for a good conscience so that we can distinguish right from wrong and choose good. Genesis tells of the washing of earth that resulted in God’s new contract with humankind, a more profound and even deeper commitment on God’s part, carrying with it forgiveness and a fresh start. St. Mark’s version of Jesus’ Baptism reflects this cause-and-effect by linking the baptismal event with God’s adoption and approval of Jesus—he who will then proceed to show and tell us how to appeal to God for good consciences ourselves.
Put this way, we are reminded why Baptism plays such a central role in the Christian journey. However, really hearing this reminder may be a challenge. Its salience may be overshadowed by, say, our sympathy for the infant who screams as water is splashed on everything that started out being cute. We may overlook its spiritual impact as we aim our phone at the baptismal party that consists of a squirming two-year-old, an older sibling about to throw a Prayer Book, and beaming parents and sponsors. The potent symbols of baptism may lose out to the luncheon party toasts that follow. Scott Gunn, an Anglican priest, describes a Baptism that may remind us of some we’ve attended:
“The family weren’t regulars in a church, and they were visibly uncomfortable with the liturgy. When it was time for the baptism, a shell was brought out and a few drops of water were poured onto the baby’s head over a small bowl. Photographers were more visible than either the celebrant or the new Christian. The symbols were, pardon me, watered down. Not only was there no clear marker about what a new life might look like, but I’m not sure the family has been back to church since. Though I’m confident God’s grace was present, what we witnessed that day seemed mostly intended as a photo op.”
And Father Gunn concludes: “I don’t think we need to tell a brand new story about baptism or baptismal ministry. We need to reclaim the old story that we’ve been telling for a long time. It begins in creation, it continues through the Red Sea, it is manifest in the Jordan River, it finds energy in the martyrs of the early Church, continues in those who subverted empire to live a Christlike life, and continues to this day. The story of God’s liberating grace offered in the sacrament of baptism may have been co-opted, but, like us, that sacred story can be redeemed.” So writes Scott Gunn.
One way you and I can help redeem the story and remind ourselves of God’s liberating grace is to revisit the elements of Baptism in our Book of Common Prayer. The second way is to remind members of our families and community who intend to experience the rite of Baptism what it’s really about. And our Prayer Book is a great help here. The baptismal rite includes three sets of questions, and these eleven—we might call them “directives” –come as close as anything I know to forming a kind of Christian constitution. Given that term, and also given Jesus’ invitation that we enter a kingdom or realm of his making, let’s coin the term “citizens” for those undergoing baptism.
The first three questions ask prospective citizens whether they are ready to renounce what’s bad in the world. The second set asks what they’ll replace the bad things with; and the third and most important set asks how replacing bad things with good things will change the way they live. First, the renunciations: the first one recognizes evil as “the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God”—in other words, the insidious, amorphous yet powerful bad stuff that’s out there. The second renunciation asks about the “powers of this world that corrupt and destroy.” Spiritual forces of wickedness insinuate themselves into human life in the form and substance of powers, so there’s a greater degree of specificity to the bad stuff here. And the third brings the magnifying lens even closer: do you renounce sinful desires that draw you away from God? So now the bad stuff is even closer to home—it may reside in our heart and head and manifest itself in our actions.
OK, prospective citizens, after rejecting these evil forces, powers and desires, what do you replace them with: Jesus Christ is the alternative, and citizens are asked about their readiness to accept him, put their trust in his grace and love, and follow and obey him. The rite makes clear to prospective citizens—and of course to you and me as well—that renouncing the bad stuff creates a void that following Jesus more than fills. Maybe First Peter didn’t have it just right, for the waters of Baptism actually remove the metaphorical dirt as we appeal to God for a good conscience.
The final five questions seal the deal: having said adios to the bad stuff and committing to the good by saying yes to Jesus, affirming his role in your life, will you now continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship? Will you continue to resist evil and ask God’s forgiveness when your resistance fails? Will you proclaim the Good News, not just sit around and think about it? Will you serve Christ in other people? And will you work for justice and peace and respect the dignity of others? Think about the active verbs in these questions: resist; ask; proclaim; serve; work and respect. Just think how powerful these pledges become for the new citizen of God’s realm! A friend of mine recites them each morning to remind herself of Christ’s constitution which she discovered and committed herself to in her baptism.
So the next time we attend a baptism, as citizens of Christ’s realm and followers of his call, let’s remember what it’s about, and help others to do so as well. And may we close this part of our service by hearing again the prayer that welcomes us, as new Christian citizens, into Christ’s fold: “God, we thank you that by water and the Holy Spirit you have bestowed upon these newly baptized persons the forgiveness of sin, and have raised us to the new life of grace. Sustain us, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give us an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works.” Amen.