Fr, Jun 7, 19th Day of Pentecost, "Day of Praise" (Thank you to Kristen Ferrier who is serving "Day of Praise" while I have some vacation time with my children.)
"In those days Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan." - Mark 1:9
The Gospel is communicated through participation in the sacrament of Holy Baptism.
As Lutherans we believe that Holy Baptism is effectual – from Luther's Small Catechism – "It WORKS forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare."
And when others witness us or our loved ones being baptized, celebrating our baptismal birthdays, or contemplating the many biblical uses of terms associated with water they are witness to the Gospel. Now go and celebrate! For Christ has worked in you something that you cannot work in yourself, and remember His command to "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit…" because with every baptism comes that many more witnesses to and for the Gospel.
Praise God!
Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson
No comments:
Post a Comment