Being Clothed in Christ

There is no longer Jew or Greek,

there is no longer slave or free,

there is no longer male and female;

for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

(From Galatians 3:23-29)

Stanley stood before the font. 

As one of the underprivileged worshippers in my middle-class, small-town church, this was a major event.

 

He was 65 and had led a hard life, of which town folk were aware.

Now, he and his wife were in charge of a teenage granddaughter whose parents were in jail. 

At the font, I asked him the traditional questions, he leaned over, I poured a small amount of water over his head and called on the Holy Spirit to enter his life.

He was now clothed in Christ beginning a new relationship before God.

For Stanley, this was a very significant event.

He couldn't read and memorized the entire service so he would know what to say when.

For me, clothing him in Christ felt as though I was washing away the dirt of his soul giving him a new beginning.

For the church, Stanley was beginning a new life in which they could surround him in love and support as he became a new member. 

Through his baptism and work of God's Spirit, we were being transformed into new creation right now.

Paul's vision of the Galatian church was to be a people who reveal love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul’s vision of the church is that all nations—in their God-given voice praise God with one voice.

Paul's vision of the small Galatian church continues today as the lives of believers are transformed through baptism.

God’s Spirit is at work transforming the lives of believers by showing baptism is making it possible.

Reflect on your baptism. How has God's Spirit been transforming you?