David Bahn – Reflections

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Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. ¹⁷ The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, ¹⁸ seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? ¹⁹ For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” ²⁰ Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, ²¹ I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”

²² So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord.  – Genesis 17:16-22

I’m a fairly respectful person. I don’t need to stand on formalities of title or position. On the other hand, I’m inclined to “show respect where respect is due” (cf. Romans 13:7). I see no benefit from refusing to acknowledge someone’s authority or position – even if I don’t agree with him or her. It’s “Mr. President” for me whether it’s my guy in the White House or not. 

Along with that goes a certain reticence to challenge authority. I’m not a windmill tilter, nor a protester. I don’t say that to brag. It’s just the way I’m wired. And I’ve not been convinced that I need to recalibrate that. I’m happy when others speak out against injustice. I’m thankful that there are those who are willing to challenge immoral, unethical, and unrighteous behavior. 

But look at Abraham! He is not only willing to speak out, he’s willing to speak out to God! He stands before the Lord: “Abraham still stood before the Lord.” That’s bold. That’s brave. That’s gutsy! Or maybe, just maybe that’s what bold faith looks like. 

Martin Luther prayed for his friend and invaluable colleague, Philip Melanchthon:

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Then the men set out from there, and they looked down toward Sodom. And Abraham went with them to set them on their way. ¹⁷ The Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, ¹⁸ seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? ¹⁹ For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.” ²⁰ Then the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, ²¹ I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.”

²² So the men turned from there and went toward Sodom, but Abraham still stood before the Lord. ²³ Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? ²⁴ Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? ²⁵ Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?” ²⁶ And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”

²⁷ Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. ²⁸ Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” ²⁹ Again he spoke to him and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” ³⁰ Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” ³¹ He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” ³² Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.” ³³ And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. – Genesis 18:16-33

I recently learned of a podcast that deals with IPO’s and their trajectory from start up to success…or not. They mentioned Facebook, Microsoft, and Apple, as well as a few I don’t recall. I don’t recall them because they are not going to limit the conversation to successful launches, but they will feature also those that didn’t do so well. In other words, those that failed to launch. For a moment or two, I thought it would be great to have known when Apple first launched and I had invested $1000 there. But then I wondered…did it ever tank – even temporarily? Would I have held on? What would being independently wealthy do to me? To my soul? Would I really like to know the future?

God muses over whether to tell Abraham what he intends to do in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah. It’s not even about Abraham’s future. It’s about the future of the people living there. It would also be about his nephew Lot and Lot’s family. And in the end, he determined to let Abraham know of his plans. He was on his way to determine for himself how evil was the city, and to destroy it for the evil that was there. 

I wonder: did God really not already know? Did he really need a reconnaissance mission to determine what he would do? Did he not realize that the evil there was so vile and rampant? 

God is giving Abraham a view of his plans in order to allow Abraham to do this incredible thing. He would allow Abraham to intercede for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. And so he does. Abraham asks, in effect, Will you destroy the good with the wicked? And then the intercession begins. 

God is willing to allow people to intercede in behalf of others. Are you such a one? Is there someone for whom you need to intercede? Can you call upon God to do good for the sake of the One Righteous One, his Son, Jesus Christ? Do you know someone who needs Jesus?

God may let us know of things so that we may be warned. It could be that his intent and even his revelation of that intent (consider the book of Revelation for example), is so that we may be warned. It might also be so that we are prepared. In other words, as we read the prophecies of Scripture (think again of Revelation), those ought to prepare us for the challenges we may face, and remind us of God’s justice, holiness, and most of all his love. 

I may need that reminder now and again. And I suspect you might too. 

For your personal meditation and edification on this Lord’s Day.

Psalm 22 [1000 years before Jesus David prophecies of the suffering Jesus would endure on the cross!]
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Why are you so far away when I groan for help?
Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer.
Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
Yet you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Israel.
Our ancestors trusted in you,
and you rescued them.
They cried out to you and were saved.
They trusted in you and were never disgraced.
But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all!
Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
“Is this the one who relies on the LORD?
Then let the LORD save him!
If the LORD loves him so much,
let the LORD rescue him!”
Yet you brought me safely from my mother’s womb
and led me to trust you at my mother’s breast.
I was thrust into your arms at my birth.
You have been my God from the moment I was born.
Do not stay so far from me,
for trouble is near,
and no one else can help me.
My enemies surround me like a herd of bulls;
fierce bulls of Bashan have hemmed me in!
Like lions they open their jaws against me,
roaring and tearing into their prey.
My life is poured out like water,
and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax,
melting within me.
My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth.
You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead.
My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs;
an evil gang closes in on me.
They have pierced my hands and feet.
I can count all my bones.
My enemies stare at me and gloat.
They divide my garments among themselves
and throw dice for my clothing.

Psalm 52:9
I will praise you forever, O God,
for what you have done.
I will trust in your good name
in the presence of your faithful people.

Psalm 82:3-4
Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.
Rescue the poor and helpless;
deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

Psalm 112:1
Praise the LORD!
How joyful are those who fear the LORD
and delight in obeying his commands.

Psalm 142:1-5
I cry out to the LORD;
I plead for the LORD’s mercy.
I pour out my complaints before him
and tell him all my troubles.
When I am overwhelmed,
you alone know the way I should turn.
Wherever I go,
my enemies have set traps for me.
I look for someone to come and help me,
but no one gives me a passing thought!
No one will help me;
no one cares a bit what happens to me.
Then I pray to you, O LORD.
I say, “You are my place of refuge.
You are all I really want in life.

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The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too marvelous for the Lord to do? [NASB] At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” – Genesis 18:13-15

My son and his soon-to-be wife climbed into the car, ready for a road trip from Seward, Nebraska to Arlington, Texas. Two friends were along for the ride. As soon as they got in the car and buckled up, one of their friends asked, “Are we there yet?” Matt’s answer: “Yes. Now get out!” Clever? No doubt. Kind? Maybe not. Telling? You tell me. 

I’ve been accused of being impatient and impulsive. I want to see things happen. I want to get things done. Grass does not often grow under my feet. That can be a strength and a weakness. It’s true: Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. But sometimes heroes must rush into the burning building. Rescue the threatened. Take the hill. Wisdom lies in knowing when to wait and when to take charge. When to let it be and when to put the pedal to the metal. 

It’s been said that God is seldom in a hurry and never late. His timing is perfect. God lives outside of time. Hence the joke:

Hey God! I’ve been reading the Bible and it says that with you a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are as a day. 

“Yes,” God says. “And?”

“Well I was thinking, a million dollars would be like a dollar to you, right?”

“Yes.”

“So could I have a million dollars?”

“Sure. Just wait a minute.” [Rim shot here!]

More seriously, the timing of God is a mystery beyond finding out. How is it possible that an angel would be dispatched to the aid of Daniel but would be detained for 14 days before he was able to get to him? Why is there need for battles between angels, demons, powers and principalities in the heavenly realm? Why did Abraham and Sarah have to wait for a whole year longer before they would bear a son? Isn’t God able to do the most marvelous things imaginable? 

Two answers spring to mind immediately. First of all, God lives outside of time, but we do not. He may be able to see the whole sweep of history in one view. But we must live it out minute by minute, day by day. And, two, and most importantly: God is patient with us, wanting us to come to repentance. He’s “slow” in our estimation because sometimes we are just too stubborn. 

Speculation alert: Might Abraham and Sarah not have conceived a child because they hadn’t tried? Was it too marvelous for them to imagine? Was it beyond imagination and therefore not worth even trying to live into that possibility? 

The timing of God is an elegant and marvelous thing. He is seldom in a hurry. Never late. Never early either. And while we wait for his promises to become reality we must do all we can to live into them, and act on those things over which we do have control…all the while imagining how wonderful it will be to experience the fullness of their fulfillment.

And experience them we will. For that is God’s promise to us, secured in his Son, Jesus Christ, to be fully and completely realized at the end of all time. 

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They said to Abraham, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” ¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too marvelous for the Lord to do? [NASB] At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” – Genesis 18:9-15

Maybe you’ve heard or even asked the sophist’s question: Can God make a boulder so large that he cannot move it? It supposedly presents a conundrum. Unsolvable. Impossible question. But it is a failed question, for it puts God at odds with his own will. And God is not two-minded. 

Nor is God a wimp. My good brother and I were talking through some troubling issues in my past, and he made the comment: “God isn’t a wimp, is he? Of course he isn’t. He can do anything he wants. So why would he allow those things to happen to you? Why would he put you through all that if he really is all-powerful? If nothing is too difficult for God?” 

In that case it was a good reminder. God is over all things. And while that is not the center of my theology, it is a immutable truth connected to the central hub of God’s grace. And the translation of the NASB helps get at that. I believe, more than anything else, that God is gracious and merciful. He is forgiving and good. God is love. And he has all the power needed to do the good things he has in mind for Abraham. And for you. And for me. 

I need to remember that. For there are times when his ways are difficult and other paths look so inviting. Nothing is too wonderful for God (check the ESV note: Is anything too hard^[d] for the Lord?). So I must lean into his goodness and trust in his loving kindness and rely on his power to bring me through. 

That might mean resisting temptation.

That may involve trusting a difficult promise.

It could mean giving God the first fruits of my income during these retirement years.

I will mean loving my neighbor, forgiving my spouse, and doing good to others when I have the opportunity. 

But the LORD’s almost off-hand question to Abraham is a good reminder, “Is anything too difficult / wonderful / marvelous for God?” Or course not. I need to remember that – in every facet of life. And so do you, dear reader. So do you.

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And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³ and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.

⁹ They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” ¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” –  Genesis 18:1-3, 9-15

Lydia got it. So did Abraham. We might have the same attitude if someone important to us came to visit. Or not… 

Early in my years of ministry the church leaders encourage members of the church to invite us to their home for dinner, or even a visit. One woman said, “But the pastor?!? I’ve never had a pastor visit before!” She was under the mistaken impression that we clergy types have some special aura that prevents others from being comfortable in our presence. Or she was afraid her house was not sufficiently clean. Or she thought she’s have to serve only angel food cake and certainly not deviled eggs! 

The most hospitable people we’ve ever known had a really messy house. Like uncomfortably messy. Perhaps dirty. Maybe even unsafe??? But they opened their hearts and home to us. Others have done the same. No apologies. Just an open home and heart, and a proffered meal. 

Still…it is appropriate to recognize something about having people in your home: It should be recognized and treated as a privilege and honor. When someone comes into your home it is truly right to receive them warmly and with all good manner of hospitality. It might be good to clean the goo from the countertops. It would be nice to have the dishes at least washed and not simply piled by the sink. I say this not to the shame of the people I mentioned above. But they were truly an exception. 

Having things done nicely is a sign of respect. It shows that you are honored to have people in your home. It indicates that they have value in your eyes. They are worthy of your effort to make things nice for them. 

This is what Abraham does. He invites these visitors to a meal and a respite. He kills a calf and serves curds and milk along with bread newly made. All this took time and effort.

Today we took our granddaughters to the Children’s Museum in downtown Houston. Then we went to the “It’s my pleasure,” place (Chick-Fil-A) for lunch. I don’t know who came up with that idea. Try it sometime…say thank you to a Chick-Fil-A worker and you’re sure to get, “It’s my pleasure,” in return. 

I wonder whether we need to be more like those workers. More like Abraham. More like the best Hotelier. The most sincerely-accommodating maître d’. Lydia. Check out her story in Acts 16:11-15. Who knows what kind of good news you might hear!

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And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³ and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.

⁹ They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.” ¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” –  Genesis 18:1-3, 9-15

Much of what she said almost qualified for the Captain Obvious awards. Seldom were there profound truths. But you could always count on wise and gracious comments. Even her criticisms were kindly provided while clearly stated and with moral clarity. When Arleen spoke, people listened. At least I did. And often her comments would sway the decision for the better. People who do not presume or posture are more often able to make a lasting impact for good. God speaks more often in those kinds of ways than bombastic thundering pronouncement.

When God shows up at Abraham and Sarah’s tent, there is little fanfare or fury. Just grace and truth: a powerful, life-changing and soul-shaping combination.

Sometimes God shows up in power and might. Think Elisha and the prophets of Baal. Or Isaiah in the year King Uziah died. Or God talking straight with Job. Think the crossing of the Red Sea. There can be no mistaking the power, majesty, glory, and dominion of God in those moments. 

But think, too, of the still small voice. Remember Jesus’ silence before Pilate. Call to mind God walking in the Garden in the cool of the day, and asking simply, “Adam, where are you?” This moment in Abraham’s life is an encounter with God. And God somehow manages to interact with him in such a way that he does not die (Exodus 33:20). 

When God shows up some 2000 years later he would do so in an even less presuming manner. A baby boy would be born. A young man would gather a group of 12 followers, and the attention of the multitudes, and the ire of the religious leaders, and the sentence of death from Pilate. This is God’s way. He can show up in might and power. And sometimes he does. But his most powerful and profound work is done in the moments of heart access. It is there we see God’s love. It is there God shapes our souls for eternity. It is there God would woo us, direct us, and grow us. 

This is one of those kinds of encounters. In the end, when the LORD says, “No, but you did laugh.” This seems not to be spoken bombastically. But gracious truth was spoken. I suspect both Abraham and Sarah would remember that comment for some time. That’s what happens when God speaks to our souls.

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And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. ² He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth ³ and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. ⁴ Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, ⁵ while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” ⁶ And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” ⁷ And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.⁸ Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.

⁹ They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” And he said, “She is in the tent.”¹⁰ The Lord said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. ¹¹ Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah.¹² So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” ¹³ The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ ¹⁴ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” ¹⁵ But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.”

He was a neatly-dressed young man. He came in, signed the communion register and had a seat in the pews. No one knew him. But…well, let’s say that the interaction I had with him a few minutes later and then not, makes me believe he was an angel. And I didn’t entertain him well that day. At least I don’t consider myself to have done so. I fear I turned away a messenger of God. The particulars don’t really matter for the purposes of this occasion. For the point is that we may have entertained angels unawares. That’s not really my idea. Check out Hebrews 13:2 if you want the Bible’s read on this.

Three men come to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre. This is where Abraham has settled. He is still living in tents, but this is his place. Refreshments would be available. Sarah would be nearby in the tent – though apparently and appropriate to that day – not in the presence of Abraham and these three men. 

Some commentators speak of these three men as the LORD and two men. In fact Moses tells us that the LORD appeared to Abraham here. He also says three men visit Abraham. We might think of the three persons of the Trinity taking on human flesh. Most likely to me, however, is that this is the pre-incarnate Christ, the Angel of the LORD, and two angels with him. 

Whoever it is, Abraham greets them warmly and offers them hospitality. He may not be fully aware of who they are. But he is willing to be host to them. They will enjoy his hospitality. Eat his food. Drink his milk. Eat his curds. Enjoy his newly prepared calf. He would watch them eat.

These are not figments of his imagination. They have the appearance of ordinary men. But they carry a message of great importance. They will reiterate to Abraham that Sarah will have a child. She will laugh. They will call her on it. But the message and promise will come true. 

There’s something about real people communicating real truth to real people. On this occasion the angels assume all the properties of real people. And their message is a message from God. We may think of angels as winged creatures with etherial appearance. But the message makes the angel. For the word angel itself means messenger. How many times have we heard a message from God and not recognized the messenger as an angel from God?

I have had to re-think my treatment of people because of the unspoken message of the man who visited our church some 40 years ago. Perhaps you have entertained an angel or two: messengers from God with his message of repentance and faith, forgiveness and salvation. And perhaps you were unaware of just who that really was.

For your personal reflection and edification on this Lord’s Day

Psalm 15:1-3
Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD?
Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
Those who refuse to gossip
or harm their neighbors
or speak evil of their friends.

Psalm 45:6
Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever.
You rule with a scepter of justice.

Psalm 75:1, 9-10
We thank you, O God!We give thanks because you are near.People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.As for me, I will always proclaim what God has done;I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.For God says, “I will break the strength of the wicked,but I will increase the power of the godly.”

Psalm 105:1-6
Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness.
Let the whole world know what he has done.
Sing to him; yes, sing his praises.
Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.
Exult in his holy name;
rejoice, you who worship the LORD.
Search for the LORD and for his strength;
continually seek him.
Remember the wonders he has performed,
his miracles, and the rulings he has given,
you children of his servant Abraham,
you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.

Psalm 135:1-3
Praise the LORD!
Praise the name of the LORD!
Praise him, you who serve the LORD,
you who serve in the house of the LORD,
in the courts of the house of our God.
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good;
celebrate his lovely name with music.

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So Abraham took his son Ishmael, everyone born in his household, and everyone bought with money—every male in his household—and circumcised them that day, as God had told him. ²⁴ Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised. ²⁵ His son Ishmael was 13 years old when he was circumcised. ²⁶ That same day Abraham and his son Ishmael were circumcised. ²⁷ All the men of his household, whether born in the household or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him. – Genesis 17:23-27 [God’s Word Translation]

When our youngest son was born, the need arose to baptize him. Three days after he was born, before he attained the weight of even 4 pounds, Diane and I sat with a styrofoam cup of water in the NICU and I baptized him. It was the most emotionally-rich baptism I had ever preformed. And once it was done, I knew there were promises of God connected with him that previous to that time were not. [See the Bible verses referencing the blessings of baptism at the end of this blog post.]

I don’t believe in hocus pocus, but I do believe in miracles. I don’t believe in ex opere operato (see definition below),but I do believe in the power of God’s word working through the waters of baptism. I don’t believe you cannot be immersed in order for a baptism to be legitimate. But I do believe that simple water connected with God’s word brings blessings of life and salvation. Whether in the Jordan River, a Greek Orthodox baptismal font (they submerse babies when they baptize them), or a styrofoam cup, with the word is a powerful and rich blessing.

If you would take the word circumcision and substitute it for baptism in the examples above, the same would apply. It’s not some magic trick when a person is baptized, or a young Jewish boy was circumcised. It puts us into the covenant of God’s grace. It’s not just the work itself, but faith that makes the promises of baptism and circumcision efficacious. That’s why Abraham is the father of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). 

Whether child or adult, the blessings of baptism come from God through the word. And whether adult or child, they remain in the water apart from faith. Martin Luther rightly says, “Baptism is the water comprehended in God’s command and connected with God’s word.” It offers the blessings of God: forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. And it does all this because the word of God is connected with the water. And those blessings are received by “faith that trusts that word of God (again, Luther). 

Today we baptize all who would come into the fellowship of God’s redeemed. Male and female. Young or old. No one questions the idea that women should be baptized. Nor should they. God’s desire is that all people be saved. His covenant of grace is to extend to all people. It is our privilege and responsibility that parents bring their children to be baptized, and once they’re baptized bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord, teaching them to obey all that God has commanded us. He will be with us the whole way in this endeavor, until the very end of time. 

The Blessings of Baptism

Ephesians 5:25-27

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, ²⁶ that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, ²⁷ so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Blessing: Cleansing

Titus 3:5-7

[God] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Blessing: Rebirth/regeneration

1 Peter 3:21-22

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Blessing: Salvation/clear conscience

Romans 6:1-4

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ² By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? ³ Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴ We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Blessing:  Connection with Christ’s death and resurrection; death to sin

Acts 2:37-39

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

³⁸ And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Blessing:  Forgiveness of sins; the gift of the Holy Spirit

Notes:

• These blessings are given by God as a promise, and received by a person by faith
• There are no age restrictions to the promises or examples of baptisms that omit the baptism of any age person – old or young.
• Both Lydia and her household, (Acts and the Philippian jailer and his household), were baptized. This would include several generations of the family: grandchildren, children, grandparents, and parents; this is the meaning of the Greek word, “iokos” which is translated “household.”

Ex opere operato is a Latin phrase meaning “from the work performed” and, in reference to sacraments, signifies that they derive their efficacy, not from the minister or recipient, but from the sacrament considered independently of the merits of the minister or the recipient (thank you Wikipedia). But that’s not quite all there is to it. It’s not just that the words are said correctly and the sacrament performed correctly. Without faith the blessings remain in the water. The merits of the minister or the recipient don’t come into play. But faith surely does. Thanks be to God that faith is one of the gifts of baptism!