Gathering in South Jersey

This blog by David Fitch discusses the Roman Catholic idea of mystagogy: "life after baptism." His ideas are helpful, and he bases them on an article that describes in some detail how important it is to have a Sunday-centered Christian faith, and to take seriously helping new Christians to become grounded in their faith.

But the overall emphasis of the article was living the life of a Christian after baptism.

While this article is steeped in Roman Catholic tradition, some with which a Protestant would take issue, not to mention some very dense language, it does raise some good questions.

As a believer, how are you growing in your faith? How seriously are you taking the call to join with Jesus in His mission in the world?

In the Presbyterian tradition, there is a little-known practice called "improving the baptism." If it is little-known, it is even littler-done.

In short, it calls believers to more fully enter into the reality of being baptized in Christ, being united with Christ, and living out that unio Christi, "Union with Christ" on a day-by-day basis.

Here is how the Westminster Larger Catechism puts it. It is dense, so read it carefully, and read it twice. (I found this citation of the Larger Catechism here.)

Question 167: How is our Baptism to be improved by us?

Answer: The needful but much neglected duty of improving our Baptism, is to be performed by us all our life long, especially in the time of temptation, and when we are present at the administration of it to others; by serious and thankful consideration of the nature of it, and of the ends for which Christ instituted it, the privileges and benefits conferred and sealed thereby, and our solemn vow made therein; by being humbled for our sinful defilement, our falling short of, and walking contrary to, the grace of baptism, and our engagements; by growing up to assurance of pardon of sin, and of all other blessings sealed to us in that sacrament; by drawing strength from the death and resurrection of Christ, into whom we are baptized, for the mortifying of sin, and quickening of grace; and by endeavoring to live by faith, to have our conversation in holiness and righteousness, as those that have therein given up their names to Christ; and to walk in brotherly love, as being baptized by the same Spirit into one body.

Now, choose a few of these ideas to focus on this week as you by faith improve--not adding to, but deepening the experience of--God's grace in your life.