... and God poured out His Spirit on them

Affusion

“Afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants in those days
I will pour out my Spirit.” Joel 2:28-29

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, 
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.” Act 2:17

Dear Cooper:

Yesterday was a rather long post. So, today, a rather short one.

It is fair now for you to ask me: well Uncle Howard, how will I be baptized?

I have thought about this a lot over the last few months. Here is what I am proposing based on all we have covered to this point – we will baptize you, an infant, using flowing (that is pouring) water. The Anglican liturgy allows for immersion (dunking you right in! and that would be great fun) and it allows for aspiration (sprinkling of water; a bit less fun) … but the image of pouring out of God’s Spirit and of God giving of Himself, the Holy Spirit is really awesome and quite significant - so let’s go with that. OK? 

If we are to make a mistake in our choice lets err on the side of assuming the majesty and mystery of God and of submitting to His work. And Cooper remember this: nothing we do can or will limit God in His work – your God knows the beginning, the end and present together; He stands above time and He knows you completely. He will never be thwarted by the likes of me. He pours out His Spirit upon you, He washes away sin and forgives you, and He identifies you in Christ – He marks and seals you with the sign of His covenant and He Loves You. It is accomplished.

‘He marks you with the sign of His covenant’ - there is something we can talk about. But let’s save that for tomorrow.

Be blessed

t HE

Thursday, January 12, 2017