‘Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?’ (Acts: 8:36)
Crazy baptisms happen in the Book of Acts. Unlikely people become part of the body of Christ. An Ethiopian Eunuch; Saul, a persecutor of Christians; Lydia, a business woman from Phillipi; a prison guard, in charge of imprisoned Christians. The author of the Book of Acts makes a point to gather people from all wakes of life into the family of Christ. Baptism is a powerful equalizer. People of color, eunuchs, women, Jews, Gentiles, all are invited, all are welcome to become part of the Christian faith. Is it easy? Do all work together splendidly despite their differences? No, certainly not. Lot’s of discernment was needed in the early church about how Gentiles and Jews fit together, what the role of women might be, how slaves and masters will manage in daily life to be equal in Christ. But, in Christ, there is hope that we learn how to gracefully relate to each other, especially to people who are different from ourselves. In Christ, there is hope that we learn to build the body of Christ together, using our different experiences and backgrounds as assets rather than hindrances.
Rev. Kristin Luana Baumann, sermon, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Port Angeles WA.
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