Pickle

This morning we begin worship with:

Acts 1:4-5

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Baptism (baptizō) is not dipping (baptō).  Commentators point to a pickle recipe from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 BC.  The pickle is first dipped in boiling water briefly and then baptized permanently with vinegar.

Baptism also has the very active task of cleansing, but the word here is said in the passive tense.  This is not something we do to ourselves.  Reminder, we are the pickle.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit is also not the baptism with water used as the sign of the new covenant.  The sign of the new covenant is applied by man.  

Acts 10:44-48

While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

The transformative baptism of the Holy Spirit is an act of God.  It is not anything we can cause.  Remember, we are the pickle.

Ever Present

On this Ascension Sunday, we begin worship with:

John 14:15–17a; 16:7

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

We probably all have had the thought, what if Jesus stayed with us.  What if we could walk, talk, and have lunch with Him?  We could talk over our concerns, learn of the future, and enjoy the truth He speaks.

Strangely though, Jesus said in these verses that we would be better off (sympherō) if He left!  And the reason given, is that the Spirit of Truth could be with us instead. 

How could having the Spirit be better than Jesus?  Jesus, being fully God and fully man, retained in His humanity the limitations of man.  He was confined by a body, so He was limited to a single location.

This passage goes on to tell us that the Spirit “will be in you” (John 14:17).  It will be to our advantage that everywhere and at all times, we will have the help (paraklētos) of the Holy Spirit.

Journey

Today we begin worship with:

Hebrews 6:11-12

And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

At the core of these verses are two contrasting words earnest(spoudē) and sluggish(nōthros). One is earnest when one applies faith(pistis) and patience(makrothymia) to reach the destination.  One is sluggish if you attempt to avoid the effort because there is doubt of success or concern that success would take too much effort.

For as one gets older or if one has a mobility issue, if you have already walked a great distance, the conversation occurs whether walking on is worth it.

But these verses speak of promises that are inherited (klēronomeō) not achieved.  Our faith is in the effort already exerted by Christ.  Our patience must simply wait for an end that should not be hurried.  And our earnestness should be about the command to love each of those you meet along the way (Hebrews 6:10).

Adoption

Today we begin worship with:

Galatians 4:4-5

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

You cannot adopt a slave without first redeeming them. If they have become poor and sold themselves into slavery, one cannot adopt them without first paying the price of redemption.  You must pay their debt.

You don’t have to adopt a slave once they are redeemed. While us American like the idea of freedom, simply redeeming a slave and making them free, leaves them without any inheritance. They are free but poor.

God did both.  We have been both freed and adopted.  We have no debt and a great inheritance. 

Praise be to God.