Baptism

This morning I have a joyous chore of baptizing my nine month old grand daughter, Isabella. In Christ's act of dying and rising, we are graciously welcomed into a covenantal relationship with the Triune God. God provides all the elements of the covenant. This promise, the conditions, and the full satisfaction of those conditions. We provided a borrowed faith. This faith is real human energy and volition - even though both are provided by the Spirit of God.

Faith comes from hearing the word of God rightly divided by faithful preachers. These preachers are called by the Holy Spirit through the voice of the Church. Little Bella will be initiated into a saving relationship not only with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but with her family and graphed onto the Church catholic. Covenants abound. The covenant of redemption between the Father and Son. The Covenant of Grace, between the Triune God and the Body of Christ. The covenant of marriage between God, my daughter and son-in-law. Finally the covenant between the Church and God, and, by contraction, between between Bella and the Minden Presbyterian Church - by extension, between Bella and the Presbyterian Church (USA), by further extension between Bella and the Church catholic. By ultimate extension she is joined in an eternal Union with Christ.

Behind all these covenants are promises faithfully honored. The faithful exchange between the righteous Father and his helpless Son, providing a redemption unto grace for helpless sinners - among whom are Bella, her parents, her pastor and the members of the visible Church. God was faithful to send his Son, his Son was faithful to submit to the suffering of the Cross - "for us and for our salvation." The Church is faithful to baptize. The parents are faithful to present their child to the Church and to teach her the Gospel. Now the preacher must be faithful to preach the word of the Gospel - that Bella may hear and believe.

It is at this point I become concerned. Does the Presbyterian Church (USA) honor the covenants God has made with it and entrusted to its stewardship - do we still preach the gospel and do we still teach faithful living? Will Miss Bella hear the clear and un-compromised Word of God through the future Presbyterian Church (USA)? I am certain of two things. While she might hear the truth from many pulpits in the PC(USA) she will also hear a "stranger's voice" from what is published in our Christian Education materials and from the confessional and ethical teachings at the highest levels of the PC(USA) and from the unrighteous witness of neighboring congregations - who will give testimony that is contradicted by other witnesses and by the Bible itself.

I must trust that God will provide a means to vanquish this latest assault on the Truth once delivered among the saint. My chore, today, remains joyous and my trust remains unwaveringly hopeful that all the promised provisions for sweet Bella's faith building nourishment will be delivered. For, my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean of Jesus name. His oath, his covenant, his blood, supports me in this whelming flood.