July - 19
CONNECTION THROUGH BAPTISM
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them . . . .” Matthew 28:19
In these next few readings we’re going to look at how God connects with us through baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
Baptism has to do with belonging, being part of the covenant family of God. If we are going to be part of God’s family, we are called to be baptized. Water “marks” those who are part of God’s covenant circle.
But being part of the family of God through baptism is not a magical ritual. It’s not about the power of some “special” water sprinkled on us. If that were the case, ministers should be wandering the streets of every city sprinkling or pouring water on everyone, claiming them for God and making them “family.” God’s family would quickly grow to include everyone.
Why do we not do that? Because baptism isn’t some mysterious water rite. Baptism is a sign given by the God who wants to connect with people, who tells us by this sign that he wants to “cleanse us” in Jesus. Baptism is a mark that we’ve been drawn into God’s covenant circle. By baptism, God tells us it’s not first about us; it’s about God with us. Through baptism God is saying and showing that he wants us as family.
Baptism, then, is about God-connection and church-connection. Sunday is just a few days away. Baptized or not, where do you stand with God’s family?
PRAYER
Lord, at times we can reduce our faith to some religious rituals or practices. Thank you that you have called us to belong to you and your people. Help me to live by that. Amen.
在以后几段经文中，我们将会看看，神怎样藉水礼和圣餐与我们联合。
水礼关乎归属一个团体，成为神盟约中的家庭成员。我们若希望成为神家庭的一分子，便要接受水礼，水是在神的圣约之内的人的「记号」。
然而，借着水礼成为神家庭成员不是一项具有法力的仪式，水礼不是某些具有「特别」能力的水洒在我们身上，如果是真的话，牧师们便应走遍各城市街道，把水洒在或倒在每一个人身上，藉此让神认领他们和叫他们成为「家人」，这样，神的家庭很快便会包括每一个人了。
我们为甚么不这样做呢？因为水礼不是一项神秘的仪式，水礼是神所赐的记号，这位神愿意与人交往，借着这记号，祂告诉我们祂愿意在耶稣里「洁净」我们。水礼是表明我们已进入神盟约的记号，神借着水礼告诉我们，最重要的不是关于我们自己，而是关于神与我们同在。借着水礼，说明并且证明神希望我们成为祂的家庭成员。
所以，水礼就是与神联合和与教会联合。几天后便是主日了，无论你已接受水礼与否，你在神家庭中取了哪一种身分呢？
祷告
主啊，有时我们会把信仰降低为一些宗教仪式或惯例。感谢祢呼召我们归属和祢的子民，求祢帮助我以此作我生活的原则。阿们。