Baptism is both an individual and a communal experience.  Whether it is the parents during an infant baptism or the individual in a believer’s baptism, when on is baptized there is a claiming of the personal connection to God through His son Jesus.  At the same time, in both baptisms, there is a communal component as well.  With baptism one is welcomed into the community of faith.  As a community we love, care for, and encourage one another as well as guiding, correcting, teaching, and holding each other accountable.

In Acts 19, when Paul offered Christ’s baptism to some new believers, the Holy Spirit came upon them.  The Holy Spirit is also part of the communal and individual aspects of entering into a relationship with Jesus Christ through our baptism.  The Holy Spirit comes to dwell in each of us and begins to lead and guide us in many ways as we live out our day to day lives.  The Holy Spirit is also present in community as well.  The presence of the Holy Spirit can be felt in worship, in times of prayer, in the sharing of the message, and in the singing of songs.

Through our baptism we connect to Jesus and we become connected to our community of faith.  The Holy Spirit enters and works in our lives to develop and grow our faith and to deepen our relationships with Christ and with our fellow believers.  May we allow and seek the Spirit’s presence in our lives.  May we be sensitive to the presence of the Holy Spirit as it seeks to live in, to breathe through, and to gently guide us day by day.

Scripture reference: Acts 19: 1-7