Prepared by: Richard G.

Pazcoguin UST Institute of Religion

In the Filipino context, we understand the word binyag on different levels. First, we understand binyag as a Sacrament, a ritual that is performed usually on infants. Filipinos give high regard to this ceremony, perhaps not much on its religious significance but on its celebration aspect. Hence, there are some who postpone the baptism of their children until such time that they have enough money to throw a big banquet. Second, Filipinos understand binyag as initiation. When we see someone with a new pair of shoes, binibinyagan natin. Even circumcision, which is a boys initiation to manhood is called binyag, and sacrilegeous as it is, even a persons first sexual encounter is called binyag. How do we redeem the real significance of binyag in human life? Perhaps we have to look back to the story of our Lords own baptism.

In the Old Testament, the chosen people had to cross the Jordan River for them to enter the promised land. Baptism is like crossing the Jordan River. Through the baptism of repentance preached by John the Baptist, one crosses from a life of sin into a new life of grace.

John the Baptist was known as the Lords forerunner or precursor. His mission was to prepare the way of the Lord, that is to make the people ready for the coming of Jesus by calling them to repentance. Always mistaken as the promised messiah, John would always speak about the coming of Someone greater who will baptize with Spirit and with fire. He must increase while I decrease. John the Baptist is an example of a person who knew well his role in the history of salvation.

One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and he was baptized by John in the Jordan River. And when Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven saying, You are my Son, the beloved, and I am fully pleased with you. Mark 1:9-11

Though he had not sinned, and therefore has no need to undergo a baptism of repentance, Jesus was the NEW ADAM. This New Man, through his baptism, ushered humanity into entering a life of grace. Baptism was an INITIATION RITUAL. The Baptism of Jesus signaled the beginning of His public ministry.

During the Baptism of Jesus, the Father revealed Jesus as:

MY SON

THE BELOVED
IN WHOM THE FATHER IS WELL PLEASED

This part of the Fathers declaration echoes Psalm 2:7: You are my Son, this day I have begotten you. Psalm 2 is known as the Enthronement Hymn which is sung during the kings coronation. Obviously, the Son being referred to in the psalm is the king himself. Being declared as the Son, Jesus is being presented as the Messianic king awaited by the people of Israel.

In the Old Testament, the title Son of God was used on the King of Israel, on angels, and even on Israel. But unlike other sons of God, Jesus is The Beloved Son, emphasizing His special relationship with the Heavenly Father. It is only Jesus Christ who is begotten of the Father.

Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, and I am pleased with him. I have put my Spirit upon him. Isaiah 42:1 The person on whom God is pleased is the Suffering Servant depicted in the book of Isaiah. The Fathers declaration that he is well pleased with Jesus affirms that while Jesus is the messianic king, he is also the Suffering Servant.

JORDAN RIVER Crossing the river Jordan, the Israelites were able to enter the promised land. Crossing the waters of Baptism, we gain access to our true homeland. THE BLESSED TRINITY In the baptism of Jesus, we see the presence of the Blessed Trinity. The Fathers voice is heard, the Son is revealed, the Holy Spirit descends upon the Son. When we are baptized, we are baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and thus we are consecrated to the Blessed Trinity.

DESCENT OF THE SPIRIT- Just as the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus on his baptism, thus anointing him, in our baptism the Spirit descended, filled us with Sanctifying Grace, and anointed us with the same anointing of Jesus as priest, prophet, and king. YOU ARE MY SON Just as Christ was declared as the Fathers Son during his baptism, so did we become children of God the moment we were baptized.

AN INTRODUCTION TO NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTOLOGY

NJ: Paulist Press, 1994 Asst. Prof. Dionisia Roman

Raymond E. Brown

Unpublished Masteral Thesis, Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University, 1994

THE THEOLOGY OF THE CROSS IN MARKS GOSPEL NARRATIVE

Fr. Luc Colla, CICM

THE AMAZING STORY OF JESUS OF NAZARETH

Baguio City: St. Louis University, 1984