Dimensions of Baptism Biblical and Theological Studies

THOMPSON Memorial Dimensions of Baptism 317

Christian memory is, finally, apneumatological reality.^54 Edward Schille-

beeckx notes, 'Pneuma and anamnesis, both the living recollection of the

story, conduct, and career of Jesus of Nazareth, handed down through the

church, and the active presence of the Spirit of Christ in the church

community of faith, form two sides of one and the same coin'.^55 The hymns

Baptists sang affirmed this. Indeed, the Third Person ties together all the

dimensions of memory we have explored. The Spirit brought together,

Christ, community, and individual. They sang,

The Word, the Spirit, and the Bride,

Must not invite and be denied.. ,^56

The Spirit's role extended to the rite and even the material context of the

rite.

So, blessed Spirit, come to-day

To our baptismal scene...^57

Eternal Spirit, heavenly Dove,

On these baptismal waters move;

That we through energy divine,

May have the substance with the sign.^58

Finally, affect also was in the domain of the Spirit.

53. W.C. Buck (comp.), The Baptist Hymnbook (Louisville: Monsarrat, 42nd edn,
    1847), hymn 794, p. 462.


54. O. Michel identified Christian memory as part of the doctrine of the Holy
    Spirit: 'The Holy Spirit ratifies, confirms and explains the work of Jesus and thereby
    brings definitive remembrance'; 'mimneskomai, mneia, mneme, mnema, mnemeion,
    mnemoneuo\ TDNT, IV, pp. 667-68. Cf. JeanCorbon, 'Memory', inX. Leon-Dufour
    (ed.), Dictionary of Biblical Theology (New York: Desclee Company, 1967), pp.
    307-308.


55. E. Schillebeeckx, Church: The Human Story of God (New York: Crossroad,
    1991), p. 158.


56. Broaddus, Dover, p. 47, baptismal choruses; Broaddus, Virginia, hymn 157,
    p. 157; Buck, Hymnbook, hymn 793, p. 462; R. Fuller, et al (comps.), The Baptist
    Praise Booh (New York: A.S. Barnes, 1872), hymn 738, p. 292; and Caldwell and
    Gordon, Service, hymn 813, p. 545.


57. The Baptist Hymnbook (Philadelphia: American Baptist Publication Society,
    1871), hymn 775, p. 415.


58. E. Clay, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, Selected From Several Approved Authors
    (Richmond, VA: John Dixon, 1793), hymn 260; Buck, Hymnbook, hymn 801, p. 464;
    Stow and Smith, Psalmist, hymn 816, pp. 426-27. The Baptist Hymnbook (1871), hymn
    757, p. 140, altered the third line slightly to 'And grant that we, through grace divine'