We had an interesting discussion around baptism a few weeks ago at sol cafe. One thread is so obvious that it is often overlooked: we don't baptize ourselves.
I mean, it seems pretty obvious, and so taken for granted that we might not see the significance built into that very basic fact. The Christian life is not something we begin "by ourselves", nor is it something we continue by ourselves. This dependence upon the act of another at the beginning of the Christian life is significant. It counters our individualism - my tendency to view my Christian journey as something which "I do", apart from your contribution, influence and participation in it.
It is a passive sort of thing. To be baptized is to submit to the action of God working through another. Even for those who were baptized as believing adults still submit to Christ throughthe actions of others. Perhaps it was designed that way, so that we could not say that we have no need of other Christians. I'll mull it over.
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