Why Baptism Matters

Jeremy Duncan

May 11

Written By Kevin Borst

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Scriptures: Matthew 3:14–17; Romans 6:3–4; Acts 8:36; Acts 16:33

Summary: In the third sermon of our series, Strange New World, Jeremy examines the sacrament of baptism. He shares how the practice is less about the rules and might be more about the long and slow way that the it weaves itself into our stories.
Adjectives: Taking two examples from English grammar rules (adjective order and oblate reduplication) that are never explicitly taught to us, but nonetheless learned, Jeremy demonstrates how the practice of something can be more meaningful than the intellectualization of it. Likewise, baptism as an ancient Christian ritual should be experienced more than understood.
Layers: Jeremy explores the history of baptism and the layers of meaning that are associated with the practice. It can be viewed as a form of seeking ritual purity—as keeping with Jewish practice, a statement of turning away from sin—as per John the Baptizer’s mission, or resting in God’s presence—as with Jesus’ baptism, or identification with Christ—as with the early Christians, or as a means of grace—as it is understood by many today.
Means: The language of ours and many other Christian traditions is that baptism is a “means of grace.” Somehow, God meets us in these rituals as we practice them. Jeremy rejects the language of “saved” or “unsaved.” Instead, emphasizing that all of us are in the process of being saved. Practicing baptism is simply a way for us to discover that saving grace.
and Invitations: Jesus invites us to be baptized. We might choose to do this as adults or be baptized as children, but either way the scriptures paint a broad picture of who deserves an encounter with God’s grace. A grace that finds us in our story more than we seek it out ourselves.
Community is shaped by the conversations we share. These questions and reflections are a tool to help you meaningfully engage with the themes of this week's teaching.
Connect: Jeremy talks about rules that we live by that are not taught to us, but that we know on an experiential level.
What are some unspoken rules or practices in your family or with your friends that you follow without knowing exactly why?
For example: “Every year, at Easter and Christmas, our family bakes sweet braided bread, no one knows when or why it started or where the recipe came from, or why we don’t bake it at other times of the year, but we always do it together as a family.”
Share: Jeremy explored some of the layers of meaning behind baptism in his sermon. Considering his list of layered meanings: A practice of ritual purification, an expression of repentance, a “falling” into your identity as a beloved one of God, a rehearsal of Christ’s resurrection and your own, and a means of grace where God meets you in the practice.
Whether or not you’ve been baptized, which of these “layered meanings” most resonates with you right now?
If you are willing, consider sharing why you feel that one or two of them stand out to you.
Reflect: Reflect on the idea of the sacraments of the church—specifically baptism—being a place where you encounter God’s grace, rather than earn it. The ritual and practice of baptism can be a place where we meet God unexpectedly in the mystery of the practice, rather than an intellectual thing that seeks to define our relationship with God. Jeremy says,
“So here at Commons, we would use language that would affirm baptism as more than just a symbol of a personal decision that we have made toward God; as if all the important parts of faith were happening on our side of the equation.
No, instead, we choose to trust that God is actually present; meeting with us in these moments.
That we are experiencing something of Divine welcome when we choose follow Jesus into and through the waters of baptism.
And I think in part what are saying here is that at least half of faith
(maybe even the most important parts of faith)
Are all somehow actually happening on God’s side of the equation
in the universe’s ongoing invitation for us to uncover grace.”
What do you think about his quote?
What would you say is the difference between treating the sacraments as being a source of grace versus being a means of grace?
Engage: Engage with the idea of leaving space for Jesus’ invitation to all of us.
Jeremy shares multiple examples from the scriptures of the different ways that baptism has been practiced: adults and children, sprinkle and full-immersion. Thus, different members of our congregation might practice baptism differently.
Why might it be important to leave space for the different expressions of baptism—or the other sacraments?
Take away: Jeremy described baptism as “the long, slow, gentle way these practices weave themselves into our lives.”
What are you noticing being slowly woven into your own story of faith these days?
Prayer from the sermon:
Good and gracious God,
we have been witnessed to your work in our lives.
Resurrection at a tangible scale.
In our experience of the Easter story,
in relationships, we thought dead and buried,
in dreams abandoned, and in time resuscitated.
Help us then not only to witness,
but to become witnesses to that truth,
in the ways that we live,
in the ways that we speak,
in the ways that we care and extend the walls of our lives,
in the ways that we tell your story over and over and over again,
Through surprising generosity and scandalous grace.
But then God,
may our witness to your story
only help to reinforce and redefine our story,
so that we might become more aware of opportunities and moments,
surprising chances, for your mission to heal the world.
To be made tangible in small moments of grace with neighbours and strangers, and those who might become future best friends.
In the strong name of the rise in Christ, we pray,
amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP Psalm 143
MUSIC Curated by Kevin Borst
Jeremy Riddle - This Is Amazing Grace
Phil Wickham - Living Hope
The McClures - Reign Above It All
All Sons & Daughters - Great Are You Lord

MOTHER’S DAY PRAYER
Written by Bobbi Salkeld

Today I’d like to invite you into a prayer for Mother’s Day. As is our practice at Commons, we step towards prayers like this with an expansive imagination.
For some of us, the idea of mothering is central to who we are, to how we love, to where we come from. For others, motherhood is a fraught part of family life, heavy with disappointment, longing, and absence.
I believe our prayer can hold these opposites and all the realities in between. Please join me as we pray.
For those who have welcomed new life this year, who have expanded their roles as mothers, who have deepened their connection with children, students, and vulnerable ones,
We pray –
Mothering God,
Keep us alert and always participating in new beginnings.
For those in the trenches of parenting,
who are working so hard to hold together homes, work life, and to-do lists, who are feeding, nurturing, and shaping the lives of children and youth,
We pray –
Mothering God,
Keep us adaptive in new chapters and energized by boundless love.
For those who have lost a mom, grandma, or a child this year,
who know waves of regret and grief,
who experience distance in relationships and who reshape motherhood
as something bigger than giving birth, We pray.
Mothering God, keep us open to creative forms of belonging at every stage in life.
Amen.

SERIES BUMPER
Strange New World