gunnemann on baptism

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On The Way

Cecasional Papert
ofthe Wisconsin Conference
ofthe United Chaach of CBr

The Vision That Has Formed the
United Church of Christ
Sbifing Vision

Authority and Acenitaility

Stan Brooks Talekabvice

Baptism
Sactament-of Christian Vocation

‘The Eucharist
Sroramont af Disciploship

Louis 1, Geinemann

Volaae 3, Naber 2
Wauer 1988-85
Baptism
Sacrament of Christian Vocation

“Ta 141 ve to ts preseoation Ute Suceamcnr of Baptisn re
SicosaKse words oLexplanaion. The ile, eptsm —Saramant ef Cie

oootn, fs wn fended to sug! aching ne. Rais ean
iesscrunser vanes ne tadiive vy Lam cckieg reine
fae urgent aed tearm the place pda in che ie ofthe Cee
today, In ascasesing presatatian oo in: Sacrament ott Leds Supper,
cr Tlsly Goeuanion, relate accent will tx ubsious 7 esha peak
of Bachar Sacranen of Chetan Nias,

Thees ae many resons for aenving a eintespreaTion uf ke
samen by ascencuating tae tenes of ral sept Neva
forty vencsugo Paul Tic wrote of “he dea uf che sacrament” win
fs Prmesiattmoventct. essed te distr esoiegocness af sah
slse ir Mhewrnende:*A complete disgppeatanecs the siruental nen
<nut the sae thing as patsy arsaereraents woul ed We Ue dsapie
nos ofthe wuss and. Fly, 9 the ditt of te sie heh
Ive" The ssw clear care ne ple of scare ofcourse,
4 oui af hs Ts ease ofthe uate ccna ie eo he
(Chun, Tasos heen ico espe-iznsd aa Westar Pres tation. Hove
veri! cert uae for dtatsving to Cid that Men ese pst
Tort sean 4 couners.jling tend hae appre aban he ae
rnenc hat has sido vem impoctae skslopcas

‘so thins ave Rapyenea“eapore Ssusctons beech irae
fon: a itil “aashouze dete” abour dithering accent ys es
Ste the ureua ef sectioning ther pli in te IK ef the Clusth ve
approach the nesaly-Frv cent,

The fist desepmnenteatibita an ongsacse OF Ths ne conte a
hic the Church saat ee think we messy wo place of te wcruneDt,
‘hie ete ewatenmes that he Wescen orl ie ch sere
‘aa missiomry acorn, Wis bave heir sane of hi, one in te san
deus oe tell begin th vxpetence taller drumatsdl the put of the
smivrlly stats op the Be afte auch, A ile more tha» ear
Reshap Leslie Newirpin ofthe Charo af Souk ls, at ne ese
Snshiehoavin Hagtand ave Ibe Waste Tantra Princeton Seay

ON rae way 2

The title at his presenivon sen “Com the West Be Converted?” Hi
ansiver fo the question pases Hh He meres the aia einkng
Teunized of ebe Cnarh 3a thine vows ‘Ta thnk we dably touches
‘oor urlestanding ofthe saerames. Tae siintinve of Newbigin' age
rcs hac che Chutch in the Wien worl fy voscuret un etrted,
Mh: Geupe ine sutendes on as presi sock! of pesona udeneot
an’ nity abandonment at the pub wr Ge a ew and herdesed
Prgonism, Tis net dficle ca sec the Tststva uf the Gospel So the
privsatoa ofthe seerarsen smu Cun th uve, Newbagin ee
Fe ree cuporate sate of fal, in lich sietenen regia toc
igi lie in th ie oft,

"The sd dele elas neatly the eraments, 2k
exbibire’ iy Ti vl Chul of Corde’ Fath and Onder Paper No
YU Race nr wan yas (hy BEM tonne Ubepdim hit ad
atoicrs) The inrmalucion inelales thew werd, periupe [amar 10
these of you ota te ae onivall jaa ue v2 MEAL “Whe lve a 8
val moist in the Bich of lian, Ae che ehuactes uno im
Tay, sy aca los sir walersunlngs ad pralives uf ops,
suctaclt oud mivisry ats (a Hanon ia el forthe rene
Daag camnaity as Ley sed cote umve, Feace, a ecu

Tete nei dovshysacats ser + rival sil i Ue incsosiom of
the saceamens. Bo! airy yeti em fe acrane a
bce charserized i germs "at Vi inp wl “han” thee
secorapli cern Bessie Gir te Tudors reed (ke ed
Fidual'ssleation. Today the cis yea” Al 08" ate aig
‘way on abe guesion oF P32" Ta i wy an hone ar al vere
shes of the Cachlangatant he Chan's wise ts? He
esponse ma cit guste “wh?” Met nl tpl agin ae
Svcrnment of Uhuisian Vacation, and Tae Bucs the Soruuned of
Carian Discipleship. I aurely iol, uf ooures tt ie yest
of Sety” will ao invade Thea” wad dele” Al fv ke en

vse shall eiscus thee io rlaiaa 10 saps of tr aelastancbags 20d
vee inthe United Church of Gh
1
From chis general intceucion, thon We mal I The ages of

Twpuien. Whe dug the Chacchin cere critica cnc soem ins ighes
real whi. vale olen qcmnpenied baste seating bat
fg eee among Many peuple Tike amcresenal? Ar letraon of the
rouble fe ven by Lauisase H, Stoohey huis lan, Bupsinns Cl
Seed he Coos

‘weer 3 har marevaa!geanelowshor the lye) Waka Case 1

hs om
" wore:

be Rao, Luss ber, a sandy Angst sep soa
Ibs whol prc an the Coho Eos est oe gid
Mest ree a8 big a Le Apraic Saession, So on
Lp mrhe Anpean pa cuss hare she on oases.
[New Tepe ener nae a cote Ue Sato amy md
ine miso een he Wea ue Us Agta she rok
ney he eal el for patti ur ae Rau Hed
svi the Sein Ae eet ofan

Tame he ie inated nh aves Unie Ste
he camacraly “hey nod itd ase a Epp uch,
sun se Ary fade ne Brit atc se Sethu uch
Ava nara Ly a base Pn achat abe a roe
ol arc smutharsnn. Now pened tht pee wae of
mcafee wha eprint
oh eps, am rege te ten of a aaa
Ipwan Eee ime rn ha si the oie Ba 9 Be
ie lh ran settee
Phe ee fhe sls ra on os fay

‘Moi sabe to ate Lat ne pas ater Hay el Io
wih wrdrmsred, Soin Bop O16 ela a om
Ih she are moe apie. et ea. Gal ee
een iced vane Clase, wid al was medi
ev pcos w= cruumity whee ce senda 9 Bap a Let
Phas Resa alas Fri cr eed BA, eee. 0 US
2 mods wtheumgoegtn, Hn eases a
Sk Cols, eaimaveed oes may Dp He Lae’
1 Ang he ac Lae in ech

‘Waive thay snsat b acealeme example ot catisad thik
bide motivet.an aad frctice in le Plena ave of bape. & dk
Astras the al-eso-comon zea ef ie womye nite of ke
on, sapzttton, senomisacnalpasochinin nl eae alread
ingof he New Testament today’s baptiswnal practice. A wma pe
experience ndeline the confiioa; a this sea incident lange

{ton of the Urted Chutet af Chr. Twas ached to pares fe
psa of» ell of the past by presslrng al cea the baptors)
Unuege- 862 gabe shel the Toot th he Eris, T reget ed
the Shay. At tne appropriate ine He pour who waned do the ast
hapa, rl sae cil wacorsecd We fn a sad Rb oa it
A tier poinc Lecliaed thet the fon’ combined me water “Ihie ad ea
Stop the pastor ho wre raeugh :Blionn of ving bit het tree
"des the eis Roa We shes Rape wih wale mw ke

on THR AY i

sand of wate nent bate? 1638 say suelo por.
tance? ete ane qucrtooe to be onzsened vere roa

(Qver agine tin picte Tm plewe! deb ae vt of apothes
scene spetisuce wan we snipped na noaby Lateran chureh bere
fhe Sacrament of Hapthm s bng cckood that day. Ihe ekg
per of cat sesise wor iy yal od Goape nce. Far te es
fine in decaes we ec a Iulia sean Hake dicey to oe ool
erento the verve, Bye na TTC athians 47-12. che sermoauntererete
Jn single and dec! ftom le lacaship of Carats ie ant eth >
the Hu re child wing baptized: ae, of eoure, the Kes of all
Igviee prem. Thee ae aning entice a ness
frame sense, stavklysuliie chou the aatare ef safle srt ea
Tie Clin ba de same te eats cmt ae netring inet
nk fay the nagiticene probes of Uae Gol Te a a pa
novi time ef weap i while the eae vomgratien, 6 el 9§ the
patear af we cul, ere helped co we the jews wf his aerament

These teeny of sine wl seis cadroting of he meaning
‘ot eaptom lor eur che. The mest apna af these deci as Uo he
{sma ot the Saernnent of Cliran Visi, Ta this We 200 Lr

a

dv spete nf Rapa he Seren ol var Vocation alliage
vo ntteny re Ain i ate, bs Kp ast 9 Te
Four sil tng the New Testrsent leaching, Chane a alld
pees The foe asccouts of Jus! siniiey adoring ris in every
tent aad acre caching. Justaer, the preseppustoy of the Pati ie
evs the ated eocenubity a wnaGayW the rch i Roane, in Covi
ia Bplsmar, fs apoaleadieeswe! Unie "alld 0 sane”

‘Seangels, lspever, sad fon gis rake no seenence to
ea” lpg 2n seme res ne cones elit. Te aveal fl,
ret, upon Ibe ple af ase ih the searonain wich Gest ia Cit,
SReved end seed in le to hapa foe te emo the ilies,
ral fore The sig md seal frgivenes wl insoeaion Se
‘no Chech. te hieweay pve! scene une unlerlne Td
st hapa fr the haptned perv, Te Lis al dese Rurien epost
tue “relisioning of the CRepel wih cae nore feature Uo the
Chyna Gn centres aud toate. Religions cas
sans up ihe bebe to be dived Srom a relauousiip with Goo
Ue ce tae fe re apm Urge Fem ta bones sl sci
velgion wal af the came ue, npn a vow Ife giten and isaled ‘a
naweing (ll.

Teaigon ahs: “Whet happens whon [ becema a Chistian. sat
vehar i there Sor 127" "How dows it append” Aun rough di
evry bracts Fe Cheers evens hee ven ner
% wouce,

quests In Uae pres, tae Chuac ook charge othe spiritual pg
Sooo ofall oho voughe waeuraae, Ha x0 doing. a¢ ie wll knoma, the
‘authority aad power of ube Church grey sad bastsm became x means of
eubliking elevation! domingcon of rman ile, The simmers, mut
‘nly Ropim wr she Fuhr, ool the ober of the Bticed Church
Doct inrnronts nf ennrol aod oppresiva,

The Prolrtnt inven a satpeth oemiuey Referaion
ccjunia power’ crunterfrcntoaeerelivizny spec he Oar
Ie. Tocsnra ‘Fes cre ie grace ea ih scorn othe
[enor of bbe Gost wm Te hrael fn wacked il ppt
FPoekaow beptsr the qn af rave, ali yma preter,
nd tohaow tba Ey bp tenner rela af ues Kee the paver
Ute Seis ts brow hare ting wos Hr the pee af opto,

tte ies a seg ae Code ers Ty the
Reformation. Trusted nes wast hese in theatre
satin ofthe Garg, Titing "he Fne ince of ad, davis na fet
of corel hime destiny. Ths Peano he ee sun
bey ihe Ganja nat aged the aulngy wf a alone, alt
funn 19 course the era of Hh estes hirsechy” wih the
“egratay of he Sadidoal.” Bethe eightorars wean eas aleeade car
‘Sarno torso gion, aout als designed, wees undeecating he
ove: of the new tein Car.

‘Raison, 24 ws have said, accent bolt io be seul i
‘relacoasip SH Cid. The Gasp elle Zn x resunecation uf tat kind
i oer ol ed, cad fora sarende enlighten
Ca sit and cashing a: we sek ro express ealing pein the
Saotaeenty: uit Vocation,

m

opsiam hecane » woye theme of theoleicl diewasinn in the
raed in luge poet ee the myn be Fi and Cees more
sent, Seydaning in the rind ov ote prevent centr. That mote
rent, nsoeporatnloo the World Cui Cheha ste Wl
War, atest coating press ot helt Pnk Bap
mal aelogy at prtce

1 wasn hi soul Lathe Uniaad Chart of Cie aie ts Fr
fod, in sy fadeny, vst kuportan:sitement about bape Bethe
Staten ni Fak, adored i 1950, ie sacraments te Roger. Shine
Ys: said We Mtoe: A treason vf Ca nd Cia of et
Stason of Fait oe poli “eurtem thats acaags omy cut
sea. "That context i he“ of the Chuceh.” ind Shinn pos
‘ow ease gin fs Ee gual, a an arte lo Ibe assert
Soomnnedze thst coins Chefs reamed sissy ud les
feat aba resurrect,” Tint fs Wht ry whan te oo he

on THE way F

Statement of Fath. me cons ‘acknowleuge Ua ve ane “eal Yo are
jv Chs bun, vl this ible, nd un tains passion ad cw

Cale wo shure in Chess bapa" —iss wr Cheer vexatio
1s nic at is encestaiog of bap wes nt xr exymasin
jin dhe tio lupus ies peoluces by he Tuite Chieu of Crit
nue 1959, Teuneey oven cetriesne bea beast sbaaie
iu the youu hn in See af the Chavo 1960) we dec by
Fhe BCG Covi ou Were owl Ts par Ta dia
mining rv ha Une ae bapa gy hs pied ea at

Fist yin the Ges ust of sap a Ee aacranict
cain. Tv an: Chea ei yc ae ould ave pw
ince or Thang aati only fe eke oer a

fk asa enraesin nar esuenial respi cpa he
nlite of Te BRM dss

slut sa is “ar fs Rapin she Adie
With The Rie nf Clea” Grae 2S? Sa ft Cary de
inex praerlyansages «aye in ithe saracintebiough whieh We
‘sce ud ro che Cone fea Chur and isa par both ia bs sing of
[wef aad fn kis emguesr of ee. Tee the vse ge of ar ineshle
vont: Ete 1ecaciiaton of an in God 07 Tis ia lee expression
St the poze in the Statement of Fach Wis, of cout, neu, thet in gate
ff our Cadton the ersphases 90 vocation in Gad’ isons made i>
‘oulmacen, notin bape, But fefure wy include tia bape te
‘Wenkenec tbe rearing of tt sacteunere and has toad conttnatisn inete
‘Enpovtan. (Lhe problem tlated t ete misunderstanding az misuse of
‘oafimacon wil coue into our dscueroa late.”

‘Called to ese in Chie’ baptisnn™—ie pluase, a you know,
clerives trom ste Pau teaching, especialy iz omaas 62<—"We mee
nied ehecefore with him by baptism unto death, so tht 92 Chr Ras
rival Grex ae dead by the glory of the Father. we coe wighe ala
Ticoniss of "A aioan dcet of mening i derive. tom este
swords i Mark: hele Wh tae Cogs ith iGK A aim bene’
ou il ys huptve” To shoe thc apis: Hs noe primarily w eceine
etaeea Hewett, ra ee. He emler a ne cating, new ventions
en ts. chaste selva rather than vecseeing. shige by
aie that arg tape 0 Me hoyle, ans tryst thaw who were
‘oeik wel il Allene mac of ee bap we re waa shore i
(Cusa ate evidence fw new ere ifarene reals of kina exit
‘which ss-edvanege = veucuace for thee of th ache. The i hs
Seapiet f Carat’ haoxm at me brads of Jian. For there he eon
upset She outcast, the need, he doners, th dsc wl ules
aur Can! let ated Divinestan’y. Ror Cheats bapiom give ape
tothe eon of che Cau, And ats shape the wocet ou ell:
Spe al lod in on bape
8 weu0e

‘hat doe this ean erat ape ne Cait nck
of Phra? We cauaut deny thst nr opti saree ane ote lacking
‘Remnants upon vation. Weihua yar she woeld nbs piven
ths Chisels v's soa al ff om che nesdy. the oppressed.
ne outs» Pinon cle, is foe i ome suriral emacs
St or the piscina, routes, 30 soergy Koybited a0 despsintey rt
Sees urd, Can ov nue heyoad the pcseues of sell seving religious
Tigao use Tir wich Chie sales We mood new and al wages 9°
‘Share dle the visu 4€ justice pease, and zeconcuien is ev be
teonmpliival, That i poses, 1 lire, by afoul ang cexpomsble
Dcot Dapesovas in Sacramante ein Veentoa, Whativneceniny?

‘he hug od ational Hts of tae xarch wast be veya
emus the fll using ad uactce of bapcnm. ttn cue Bin
Feetsuel lignes ey aalabe open soquere nd er the capeenience
fee seeking 1s the Sasraseor Clear Wocerm iia le he
the! wh fine sone rotoaneee ad plating: dt aust he ep at the
eters Hie pei ry, afte Cena weep nd nln, Tie
equize -obrctionandcoaluning ances et aes. youth. sd ele,
Tapes

1 Redlinkirg tbe swearing of the ‘tionship bers hapa a)
coutemation. Tru eave ia conan auf itaedeotandiy
fF pte, Fier, contra aac a eas ong Fe Cre
‘Ae esa, fe upily denies the sbeabing of apis ae “ineepmnsing
fnto she Charch waich i Cheats ody? He freser withholds tro the
Toplived cid al of che eee onceaing of fa aurrating uruslly
"Sshyed wri pubeety Seeand. contirnacion Sustruction ie Eran Ce
‘Slgnodaes mane a gonerning fla thrown knowledge, sAeenty Chu
over inlets "Ome taelgiom "| bekewe hit Lae water:
tend”. Caufivenion erirvtion shoul ce apoe ing Sor tbe
Charets miso

2} Kecontideation oi she agmatine apts aso
sion involving agpsess of Emily fife mow rates ousisonc, epee fn
"cw of the erage aly stiverares i vhs

6) Resaneiving che ole of tho funy tladenskip tn the moter:
‘Fi, xbus ining the rn apm ro te “ede pr
ces 9 ta "stag rman

Conhasion

tie ths emphasis ogo Lape ax oe Sacaazere of Wosstins
‘tha thet aurea shiv nal the neblerof conan, tc,
ears, and sconeintien fa etme. Fein th st
snsacutencealehemrseun smart te Chusch, Fo be afar lta ita
(Of Gas presence and Worle in hs wer oe re all Leen sree

oy rir wa ”

vores

aon, Pel, Pie Pte fa, Chie nian of Caen Ines,
8.9.98.

pewupa, Lie. Ca the Wat fe mera” Pac i
1998, gp. 251

“apn tuchartand Sonny, Fatt Oser 11ND, op

1 Nanni: Aimnhins WE, pp. 2

* Pidgin, hos Used lic Pen, 9 08

“Thi, p18

* Seni of ls Circh, Maca, stn Utd 2
Mae