SACRAMENT...EMBLEMATIC ORDINANCE...RITUALISTIC ROUTINE?

As more than a few pastors will attest, a quandary sometimes attendant the ministration of "believer's baptism" or the Lord's Table involves a seeming absence of transformational grace.

Nor is such a solely contemporary phenomenon. John the Baptist, for example, frequently verbalized his conviction that not all baptismal candidates qualified (Matt. 3:7-10). Indeed, the fact that those seeking baptism under his ministry were expected to publicly confess their sins (vv. 5,6) may well have represented an endeavor to weed out the shallow and insincere.

Given such, self chosen baptism (i.e., as contrasted to the "covenantal" concept perceived by some in Acts 11:14; 17:31) can, in some instances, involve little more than one's becoming physically wet - validity at such point necessitating an accompanying or preceding (both concepts appearing in Scripture) work of grace. Hence the insightful, if somewhat artless, observation of a particular pastor that "there is little spiritual value in falling off the deck even if, in so doing, one is immersed."

Again, there were those at Corinth who, in celebrating the Lord's Supper, failed to "discern the Lord's body" - first of all, as represented in the elements of the observance (Matt. 26:26-28; I Cor. 10:16; 11:17-27, etc.) and secondly, by the sacrilegious behavior whereby they not only descrated such, but in so doing violated that organic structure repeatedly designated in the apostolic writings as Christ's "body" (Rom. 1:25; I Cor. 12:27; Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:24; etc.). Significantly, failure at this point had, on occasion, led to not only physical illness but even death itself (I Cor. 11:17-34). At this point the Corinthian believers were dealing with more than mere symbolism.

It is similarly to be noted that there are present day instances in which, concurrent to receiving of the Lord's Table, God presence has been notably evidenced. We recall an occasion in our own ministry in which, following the Communion service, a member of the congregation asked to share a word. Upon receiving Communion he had experienced a physical healing. While having heard of similar instances, I had not previously observed such nor, for that matter, have I since witnessed an occurrence of this nature. It did, however, drive home a point never since forgotten.

Could it be that both those of a sacramental (i.e., spiritual reality) understanding and those viewing baptism and Communion within an essentially emblematic (i.e., ordinance) frame of reference might here learn from one another? We would so suggest.

In either instance, we would yet aver the sanctity of the ceremony.

Burl Ratzsch

RITUAL OR REALITY?

In recently visiting with its present pastor, the history of a particular church in rural east Texas entered the discussion, particularly in terms of its having once been the site of a widely known annual camp meeting. Coming in teams and wagons from a wide area, large numbers attended. Mass baptismal services in a nearby creek often reflected the fact of converts numbering in the hundreds. Ah, to have been there! And while, in terms of open air camp meetings, such days may be past, might not we yet pray that, in some way or fashion, God would again grant us the fervor and spiritual hunger of that time!

But, having touched on the subject of baptism...

While likely sharing the same philosophy in this regard as the above mentioned pastor, it has yet been my experience in times past that questions concerning baptismal mode and intent sometimes seem to come with the territory at large.

At the same time, we would suggest one's avoidance of becoming so caught up in the mechanics of baptism as to lose sight of the spirit and meaning intended to inhere its exercise. Within our own understanding, the act itself has revolved largely around one's public acknowledgement of "repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). At the same time, we would readily acknowledge that there are believers - dedicated believers - for whom baptism carries additional, or at times, somewhat varying, concepts and connotation.

For example: Within those settings wherein baptism is itself considered the act of renouncing one's past (particularly in terms of traditional, non-Christian religions) and making commitment to Jesus Christ - an exercise of faith that, within some cultural environments, can cost one his livlihood, his family, or even his life - I personally would have little difficulty with a "baptismal regeneration" point of view. Situations of this nature often tend to such. Unfortunately, baptism within our own societal context has not always evidenced a similar depth of commitment and meaning - although, thankfully, there are occasions that do.

Our point here is that dedication and quality of spirit have much to do with the validity of our own faith related involvements and exercises, be it baptism; receiving of the Lord's Table; participation in the Church's worship services; preaching the sermon; or spiritual life in general.

We do well to refresh our thinking from time to time with regard to such concerns.

Burl Ratzsch