July 2026 - Baptism and Traditions

From the Desk of Pastor David, July 2026


After many years, I am re-reading an ancient text, The Didache
(pronounced Di’-da’kay), a small book about the same length as
Galatians. Didache means “teaching” in Greek, and the book is
also known as “The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles.” Scholars
date the book to the first century A.D., and it is not a book about
doctrine or beliefs, but a handbook on actual liturgical practices of
the early church. The book covers how to live righteously, rituals such as baptism
and the Lord’s Supper, how to treat prophets and teachers, and the return of Jesus.
Given all the controversy that the modern church agonizes over regarding different
methods of baptizing (from sprinkling to full body immersion), interestingly The
Didache says this: Baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Spirit in running water (a river?). If you do not have running water, then baptize in
still water. The water shall be cold, [or fresh] (a lake?), but if you do not have cold
water, then use warm, [or stagnant] (a tub?). If you have neither, then just pour
water on the head three times in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The instruction goes on to say that both the one who is being baptized, as well as the
one who baptizes, should fast before the baptism for “a day or two!” It also instructs
that the bread and wine should only be given to the baptized. Why am I reading this?
For one, it’s fascinating to me to see how the church closest to the time of Jesus
actually worshipped and to see how closely we have remained in those same
practices even after two thousand years. (I admit, I do not fast before I baptize).
This is tradition.

The word tradition comes from two Latin words, “trans” (across) and “dare” (to give),
so to give across, to deliver, to hand over for safekeeping. Any tradition involves two
parties: one who hands off, or teaches the old, established ways, and one who
receives it. In my role as pastor, I want to be diligent and true to the Christian
tradition as one who is “handing over” to you that which has come before us.
Historically, the process has been fluid and an accepted function of life. But these
days, the world is in flux. Many potential receivers of tradition today do not want to
take up the baton being handed to them. They have been led to believe that many of
our most cherished traditions, Christianity included, are evil and need to be torn down
in order to be rebuilt under a new world order. Don’t believe me? Remember the
bicentennial of 1976? How proud we were to be remembering two hundred years as
a nation. The excitement and preparation started a year before the event, and the
entire country exploded in joyful celebration on July 4. In contrast, as of this writing,
we are two weeks away from our 250th anniversary, and it’s almost impossible to find
any mention of it or planned celebration, as if we should be ashamed of all that has
gone before us.

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord and respect our traditions. Please
continue to stand with me as we honor God and country as our forefathers taught us.