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Trinitarian Baptism AROUND THE COMMUNION National church launches communication initiative ENS — "Growing up into all things in Christ" – a spiritual process underscored by Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold during the September meeting of the House of Bishops -- is a concept cur- Help for hurricane victims rently shaping communications initiatives serving the Episcopal Episcopal Relief and Development is mounting a major response to the Church. destruction caused by the hurricanes ravaging the Caribbean and United States. From website refinements to collaborative national advertising, The devastation is overwhelming. Tropical Storm Jeanne killed seven people these efforts call both lifelong Episcopalians and prospective in Puerto Rico, 19 people in the Dominican Republic and more than church members to full maturity in faith and practice -- and to 1,000 people, so far, in Haiti. Hurricane Ivan caused 70 deaths in the renewed commitment to evangelism and hospitality. Caribbean and 50 in the U.S. Tens of thousands are homeless, and many THE ANGLICAN New projects include introduction of an annual Thanksgiving have lost everything. COMMUNION morning telecast and webcast anchored at Washington National In Grenada (part of Southern Ohio’s companion diocese, the Diocese of Cathedral, together with expansion of print and broadcast resources the Windward Islands), 90% of the island’s structures are damaged a community of beyond repair. In Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, waves and shearing 70 million Anglicans offered in Spanish. Also new is a "Fast Facts" glossary posted online at www.episcopalchurch.org/fastfacts. These added services winds have destroyed countless homes and left thousands without drinking in more than water, electricity and other vital services. 160 countries complement longstanding practices such as publication of the monthly Episcopal Life newspaper. Episcopal Relief and Development is responding to the destruction with emergency assistance to affected communities throughout the Caribbean The initiatives affirm the experience of Episcopalians who say and United States. They are working with local dioceses to provide critical Resources for they increasingly find: assistance in the areas of emergency food, shelter, clothing and medicines national and I God is at work, and the church continues its mission in the world. for vulnerable families. world news: New understanding of God's creation continues to unfold. To mobilize dioceses and parishes within the United States, they are post- The Episcopal I Gratitude for God's blessings is expressed in common prayer ing regular updates to the website, www.er-d.org and distributing emer- Church, USA and worship. gency response press releases as well as bulletin inserts. To help or www.episcopal I Service to the human family unites the Episcopal Church's donate, visit the website for more information. church.org 7,300 congregations and those of the wider Anglican Communion. I Peacemaking and reconciliation are essential around today's al advertising options. Anglican strife-torn globe. As our Prayer Book tells us, the mission of the The "Come and Grow" invitation reflects the spirit of the New Communion: church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Testament scripture Ephesians 4:15: "...speaking the truth in love, www.anglican Christ. We carry out this work of reconciliation in our personal rela- we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into communion.org tionships and as a church both locally and globally. Christ..." I Humility as a church and nation begins with respect and com- The shaping of communications ministry has been discussed in Around the passion for others. September meetings of the Standing Commission on Episcopal Communion Sources: I All are welcome to experience the rich inclusiveness of Church Communication, the board of the Episcopal Anglican Communion Anglican tradition. Communicators organization, the Executive Committee of News Service, Episcopal This latter invitation is further conveyed by combining the time- Executive Council, the House of Bishops -- and in the work of the News Service honored motto "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" with a new Office of Communication at the Episcopal Church Center in New suggestion to "Come and Grow." These themes are reflected in a York where inquiries may be directed to Canon Robert Williams, new visitors' center scheduled to debut online Oct. 15 at Acting Director of Communication (800.334.7626, ext. 5385; http://www.comeandgrow.org/ -- and which correlates with nation- [email protected]). SCHOLAR’S CORNER Trinitarian for- not depend on it being done in just one I know there are some Christians who insist that baptism be done THE REV. “in the name of Jesus” and not “in the name of the Father, and of the mula. The fact approved way. Rather, it would seem, WILLIAM G. that immersion is the intention to baptize was primary, Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” and they quote the Book of Acts where it GARTIG to be done three though the manner could vary. says, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus times in succes- This is very much in contrast to the Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift sion makes it beliefs of some churches that either of the Holy Spirit” (2:38). It looks like the Early Church did not use likely that the insist on immersion (for example, the Trinitarian formula. How do we justify using it? first time the Baptists) or on particular words being Father would be said (for example, non-Trinitarian, Well, yes, the Book of Acts does give early in the history of Christianity. An mentioned, the “Jesus only” Pentecostals). It seems that the impression that in the first few years of example is that we do not yet have the second time the at least on these specifics relating to Christianity, baptism (at least in Palestine) episcopal system of government. Son and the third baptism, the Early Christians (or at least was done “in the name of Jesus” and not Instead there is a governing body of eld- time the Holy some of them) were not as rigid and using a Trinitarian formula. But it seems at ers and deacons and travelling prophets Spirit. So here dogmatic as some Christians today. least some Christians in the New wandering from village to village. Both with this triple Unless we accept the contention of “Jesus Testament Period adopted a Trinitarian of these features suggest the first or immersion, we clearly have a Trinitarian only” Pentecostals that the name of the form of baptism, since the Gospel of early second century. baptism, not a single immersion with Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit Matthew ends with Jesus saying, “Go The Didache is the earliest known the words, “I baptize you in the name of is “Jesus,” then, even if we give no weight to therefore and make disciples of all nations, “church order,” that is, a “how-to” manual Jesus.” If Trinitarian baptism was not the evidence of the Didache, we still have baptizing them in the name of the Father for running a congregation, including how the original way of baptizing, it certain- New Testament warrant for both formulas: and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...” to baptize and celebrate the Eucharist. ly developed quite early. Acts for “in the name of Jesus” and Matthew (28:19). This suggests that Matthew’s com- Concerning baptism, the Didache says: Note also how flexible and not rigid 28:19 (“Go therefore and make disciples of munity used a Trinitarian formula. “Baptize in the name of the Father and or dogmatic the Didache is about the all nations, baptizing them in the name of the If the theory is right that the Gospel of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” in method of baptism. There are prefer- Father and of the Son and of the Holy of Matthew comes from a congregation running water. But if you do not have ences but not rigid demands on several Spirit”) for the Trinitarian formula. in Syria, that would fit with the next running water, baptize in other water. points. Running water is preferred, but Christian writing to specify a Trinitarian And if you are not able [to baptize] in stagnant is acceptable. Cold water is The Rev. William G. Gartig will answer baptism: the Didache. cold, then in warm. But if you have nei- preferred, but warm is acceptable. your questions about the Bible, The Didache is an important docu- ther, pour water on the head three times Immersion is preferable, but if the body Episcopal life and other religious sub- ment because it seems to be quite early, in the name of the Father and of the Son of water is not deep enough, pouring jects. Send questions to 2146 perhaps even from the first century. and of the Holy Spirit.” three times on the head is acceptable. Cameron Ave. Apt. 5, Cincinnati, OH Many things about this work strongly Notice that the person baptized is to It seems that for the writers of the 45212-3631 or at suggest that it comes from a time very be immersed three times using a Didache, the validity of a baptism did [email protected]. 11.
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