Washed in the Water - Just Like Jesus!

The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."


This is what our afternoon consisted of! We got to go down to the Jordan River, where the Pastor I have had my whole life up until last July when I took my new job in Antioch got to baptize me i nthe Jordan River. What a surreal experience - to be dunked where Jesus was dunked....the setting is gorgeous, and the water has smal lfish swarming all over. How incredible to celebrate the miracle of baptism - of declaring our public faith to those around us.

My brother's girlfriend Katie had this baptism as her original profession of faith. I, however, have been baptized before - as an 8 week old infant in the Armenian Orthodox Church - techinically catholic! When I was in High School, I went through the Presbyterian Baptism class at my home church, and then was annointed with oil in front of the congregation as my self-motivated public decleration....

I spoke with Pastor Scott about why at this time I was eligable to be baptized, but back in high school, the best I was allowed was to be annointed because of my prior baptism as an infant. He told our group that this baptism is less of a sacrament, and more of an opportunity to make or dedication to a life of pursuing God's will where Christ made the same commitment.

It sounds good, but the PCUSA I'm sure would have a problem with it. In my last seminary course I got to study how much drama there has been in the church over doctrine of baptism. It is fascinating, and frustrating all at once....but either way you spin it - the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA at least) does not allow for duplication of baptism.... so I guess I'll have to not be Presbyterian today...because getting baptized in the Jordan was incredible.