Continuing on from the previous post where we discussed that the first step of being counted as a part of God's kingdom is ensuring that we have been baptised. This is done in faith on our behalf as infants, but for adult believers this first step must take place after a period of time where the believer is to attend Church ministries and learn about the faith of which he or she wishes to enter. The priest will then decide if the believer is ready to be baptised based on the spiritual growth and commitment of the believer.
The Apostolic Church, and in particular, our very own Church of the East, believes that the grace of our Lord centres around the sacraments, these being the physical manifestation of His grace that are given unto us for our benefit, edification and forgiveness of sins. We partake of these sacraments in order to participate in God's grace, we have also been commanded to do certain things i.e. Baptism, and as believers in God we willingly subject ourselves to the Lord and King of kings Jesus Christ in faith through the mysteries that He has bestowed upon us.
So what are the subsequent steps for a believer who joyfully wishes to worship the Lord and offer themselves as a pleasing sacrifice to do, to ensure that they are walking on the narrow path that leads to life? As is always the case, our Lord provides the answers for us!
We read in Luke 13:1-5
1 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”
Our Lord Jesus specifically states that we are to repent, repentance is the commitment made by a believer to turn away from their life of sin and sacrifice their lusts and desires wholly to serve God almighty. It is an act of contrition and humility that enables God to work through us and cleanse us of our sin, it is not however, an act that is to be performed once for we are called to continual repentance. We will all, at one time or another, fall into sin whether knowingly, unknowingly, willingly or unwillingly, therefore we must always beseech the Lord for His forgiveness and mercy.
Repentance plays a key role in our salvation and as we read in Luke 15:11-24
11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ 20 So he got up and came to [f]his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’
The story of the prodigal son exemplifies the love that God has for us and the joy that He feels when we return to Him. Upon our return, we are not condemned nor chastised but rather the Father runs towards us and embraces us, what a wonderful Lord we have! Although we may reach a point in our lives where we feel down and out (in a spiritual sense) God is waiting for us to repent and seek for Him so that He may restore us.
Our Lord Jesus commanded us to repent and be baptised, this does not imply that a chronological order must be adhered to regarding baptism and repentance but that these are important acts that a believer must adhere to. An example of a believer being baptised without having repented is found in Acts 8:34-40
34 The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself or of someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. 36 As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptised?” 37 And Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”] 38 And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptised him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he kept preaching the gospel to all the cities until he came to Caesarea.
It is quite obvious that the eunuch did not repent or confess his sins prior to being baptised, repentance then, would be the next step of this man's spiritual commitment and journey.
Amen.
Part three will be posted up within the week and it will discuss the sacrament of the Eucharist and the absolute necessity of this central facet of Christian theology.
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