The Heaven Adam Closed is Open
Gregory and Luther on the Baptism of Jesus
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/ The Glory will not Destroy (Matthew 17:7)
(After the His Transfiguration…)
But Jesus came and touched them,
saying,
“Rise, and have no fear.”
Here are a few Luther passages I came across yesterday, tracking down the Bible’s spiritual insights on hunger.
/ Hungry Pastors
/ On Justice and Mercy
/ The Ministry of Salting
/ Gregory Nazianzen on Baptism.
Today (January 10) is the commemoration of the Cappadocian Fathers (Basil the Great 330–379, Gregory of Nyssa c. 335 – c. 395, and Gregory of Nazianzus 329–389). Here are a few passages from Gregory of Nazianzus on baptism:
Gregory, Oration 39, on the Baptism of Jesus (online here)
XV. But John baptizes, Jesus comes to Him Matthew 3:14 ...perhaps to sanctify the Baptist himself, but certainly to bury the whole of the old Adam in the water; and before this and for the sake of this, to sanctify Jordan; for as He is Spirit and Flesh, so He consecrates us by Spirit and water. John 5:35
XVI. But further — Jesus goes up out of the water...for with Himself He carries up the world...and sees the heaven opened which Adam had shut against himself and all his posterity, Genesis 3:24 as the gates of Paradise by the flaming sword.
Gregory, Oration 40, on Baptism (online here)
Concerning two of these births, the first and the last, we have not to speak on the present occasion. Let us discourse upon the second, which is now necessary for us, and which gives its name to the Feast of the Lights. Illumination [i.e. baptism] is the splendour of souls, the conversion of the life, the question put to the Godward conscience. It is the aid to our weakness, the renunciation of the flesh, the following of the Spirit, the fellowship of the Word, the improvement of the creature, the overwhelming of sin, the participation of light, the dissolution of darkness. It is the carriage to God, the dying with Christ, the perfecting of the mind, the bulwark of Faith, the key of the Kingdom of heaven, the change of life, the removal of slavery, the loosing of chains, the remodelling of the whole man. Why should I go into further detail? Illumination is the greatest and most magnificent of the Gifts of God.
We call it, the Gift, the Grace, Baptism, Unction, Illumination, the Clothing of Immortality, the Laver of Regeneration, the Seal, and everything that is honourable. We call it the Gift, because it is given to us in return for nothing on our part; Grace, because it is conferred even on debtors; Baptism, because sin is buried with it in the water; Unction, as Priestly and Royal, for such were they who were anointed; Illumination, because of its splendour; Clothing, because it hides our shame; the Laver, because it washes us; the Seal because it preserves us, and is moreover the indication of Dominion. In it the heavens rejoice; it is glorified by Angels, because of its kindred splendour. It is the image of the heavenly bliss. We long indeed to sing out its praises, but we cannot worthily do so.
/ Life Magnified: January 27
Join us in Austin to pray and march for the unborn babies. All the information is here.
This event is totally free, but if you are coming, please let us know.
/ Lutheran Singles Cruise
This will be great! Keri and I will host a Lutheran Singles Cruise in August. Here is all the information.
Please add your own theological recommendations in the comments.
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Christ is Risen! Pastor Wolfmueller
Psalm 27:4
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Thank you Pastor, I've gotten a lot of mileage out of the Ministry of Salting except. Just the one word 'denouncing' by Luther explained so much, but the image of preserving good meat is unforgettable as we remember the requirement of salt for those without refrigeration.
Here in the north we use salt on our sidewalks and streets to overcome the treachery of ice underfoot or tire. Only God knows the number of broken hips or worse that His salt has saved us from.
Oh may we not neglect this ministry! And thank you for finding and revealing this gem of a crystal from Martin Luther.
Beautiful