Pastor's Page - October 2008

“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” I’ll bet you can’t even count the number of times you’ve heard that phrase, but do you really remember what it’s all about. Why do we use in to begin our worship? Why do some people make the sign of the cross on themselves when they hear it? How importance does it have for our everyday life?

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17, ESV)

It’s very appropriate to begin our worship, our conversation with God, in His name. This phrase “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” sums up who God is and what he does for us. Remember the Apostle’s Creed? “I believe in God the Father… and in Jesus Christ, His Son… I believe in the Holy Spirit…” Everything we believe about God is focused here in these few words. God, the Father, has created us and does everything to protect and preserve us in our life. God, the Son, has saved us from sin, death and the devil, by His precious blood and innocent suffering and death. God, the Holy Spirit, calls us to faith and strengthens that faith as we listen to and contemplate God’s Word. It’s a complete package; God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Our worship isn’t just about one part or function of God; it’s about everything that God is and everything that he has done.

There’s another important thing to remember about this very familiar phrase. We use it at some other very important times. We begin weddings with it, we begin many special gatherings here in the church with it, but most important of all we hear it whenever we have a baptism. Baptism is all about the name of God. It’s the name that He places on us when we are baptized. “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” God’s work in baptism, God’s promises, are made sure by the presence of God’s very name. What are the promises?

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16, ESV)

That is God’s promise that we remember every time we gather to worship God. St. Paul describes it further:

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4, ESV)

In baptism we die with Christ. That “Old Adam” that sinful part of us is killed, drowned daily when we confess our sins and repent. All our sins and evil desires die with him. The “New Adam” emerges and lives before God in righteousness. Every time we remember out baptism a miracle happens.

Some people make the sign of the cross on themselves whenever they hear “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” That’s a good way to remember that what God has done in Jesus Christ is for you. It’s like saying; “God has saved me through Baptism into Jesus Christ. God calls me His very own child.” In our hymnal, if you look carefully, you’ll see a little cross + in those words, every time they appear. That’s a sign to you that that’s a good time to make the sign of the cross. To make the sign of the cross use three fingers, for the Triune Name of God, and touch your forehead, then your heart, then your left shoulder and finally your right (from thought, to heart, and into action).

God’s Richest Blessings;

Pastor Watt.