The Baptism of Zachary Irving Rotwein

The Rev. Nancy S. Streufert

13 September 2015
Saints Martha and Mary Episcopal Mission
Today is a joyous and momentous occasion in the life of Zach and Susan; for the
congregation at Saints Martha and Mary; and for the one holy Catholic Church. Because
today, through the sacrament of Holy Baptism, Zach becomes fully initiated by water
and the Holy Spirit into Christs Body, the Church.
The Episcopal Church affirms St. Augustines definition of the sacraments as "outward
and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace, given by Christ as sure and certain
means by which we receive that grace." Grace is Gods favor toward us, unearned and
undeserved; by grace God forgives our sins, enlightens our minds, stirs our hearts, and
strengthens our wills.
Thus Anglican theology affirms that the sacraments are powerful means by which
Christian believers are justified (made right with God) and sanctified (made holy) in the
Christian faith.
The sacraments hold a prominent place in the theology of our faith tradition, and we
give primacy to the two great sacraments given by Christ to his Church in the gospels:
the sacraments of Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist.
Through apostolic witness and tradition, we affirm these sacraments that have been
instituted by Christ, and the rites, rituals, and practices that developed from them and
that have come down to us over many generations. The intentional actions we take in
faith and worship within our faith communities assure us of the promise of Christ, and
through participating in them, we meet Christ in them.
How this happens is a mystery, but it is NOT magic.
Through baptism, we become:
Members of Christs Body, the Church,
Inheritors of the kingdom of God
United with Christ in his death and resurrection
Born into new life in the Holy Spirit
In our baptismal vows we:
Renounce Satan
Repent of our sins
Accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
The importance of being baptized in the Spirit is well-attested in the New Testament.
All four gospels record that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, and testify that the
Holy Spirit descended from the heavens and either alighted on or descended on or

The Baptism of Zachary Irving Rotwein

The Rev. Nancy S. Streufert
13 September 2015
Saints Martha and Mary Episcopal Mission
remained with Jesus (Matt 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:26-34). Jesus
answers Nicodemus question about rebirth by saying no one can enter the kingdom of
God without being born of water and Spirit (John 3:5). After Pentecost, Peter urged his
followers to [r]epent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so
that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts
1:38).
The concepts of sin and repentance are often misunderstood. The Catechism defines sin
as: the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our
relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation.
The great concept of repentance developed through the ages by the Hebrew prophets is
this: repentance is a turning from sin and a return to right action. We can think of sin as
a state of our being that interferes with our relationship with God. This distorted
relationship is revealed in our actions that result in harm to ourselves or other people in
some way or some kind of disorder in our lives. Think of repentance as a turning
toward God, an intentional change of heart.
Baptism into Christs death and resurrection renouncing sin and evil is an
intentional act and an important commitment that should not be taken lightly. Baptism
should be preceded by instruction in the Christian faith as Zach and his Sojourner
sponsors did during the summer in preparation for today. Baptism is more than a
momentary act, it is the beginning of a lifelong pilgrimage that requires discipline and
dedication in the context of a faith community if we are to become who we already are.
Let me say that again . . .
In the last few weeks, our Sojourners group reflected on the baptismal vows that Zach
will make for the first time, and that those of us who are baptized will reaffirm. I invite
you to do the same in the coming weeks. Try answering these questions as they apply
to your own life.

Will you continue in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread,
and in the prayers?
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and
return to the Lord?
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of
every human being?

The Baptism of Zachary Irving Rotwein

The Rev. Nancy S. Streufert
13 September 2015
Saints Martha and Mary Episcopal Mission
The peoples response to each of these questions is: I will, with Gods help, because
we will break these vows again and again. But we can trust in Gods faithfulness, that
he will never break the covenant he has established with us, even when we will do so
repeatedly.
The Scriptures appointed for today have some powerful statements:
I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your
uncleannesses . . . A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you;
and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will
put my spirit within you. This is God speaking to the Israelites through Ezekiel.
And St. Paul says to his church at Corinth: If anyone is in Christ, there is a new
creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
And Jesus says to Nicodemus, Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of
God without being born of water and Spirit.
I urge you to take this booklet home with you and reflect on them and also the
baptismal vows in the coming weeks.
But for now, lets get Zach baptized!