Born of Water and Spirit

Have you been baptized by water and the Holy Spirit? Do you need to be baptized? What does our baptism accomplish?

Baptism is essential for the follower of Jesus. Even Jesus himself was baptized in obedience to his Father by John the Baptizer.

Each of us are called to be born of water and the Spirit of God through baptism, identifying with Jesus’ own death, burial, and resurrection.

When we are baptized, the water symbolizes the washing away of our sin, the death to our old nature, and our new birth and salvation through the rejuvenating waters of baptism and the Spirit of God.

Luke tells us in his gospel account that “John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” (Luke 3:16, ESV).

When we are baptized by God’s Spirit in the waters of baptism, and by his purifying fire, we are born again, purified, and sealed as Christ’s own forever.

May we be baptized by God’s Holy Spirit through the waters of baptism, or call to remembrance and recommit to our baptismal vows, remembering that forgiveness of sin and true life come through being born again through the waters of baptism and the Holy Spirit of God.

A Collect for the First Sunday of Epiphany: The Baptism of Our Lord: “Eternal Father, at the baptism of Jesus you revealed him to be your Son, and your Holy Spirit descended upon him like a dove: Grant that we, who are born again by water and the Spirit, may be faithful as your adopted children; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019).

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