Dimensions of Baptism Biblical and Theological Studies

316 Dimensions of Baptism

centered in Christ. It is as such truly the beginning of life in Christ. Baptists

of an earlier time sang,

O sacred rite, by thee, to own

The name of Jesus we begin.^49

The one seeking baptism would not have come to this rite, had there not

been a deep emotional connection brought about by the gospel.

Yet we come in Christian duty,

Down beneath the wave to go;

O the bliss!

The heavenly beauty!

Christ the Lord was buried so.^50

Even so, baptism served as the memorial of union with Christ that signaled

a new affective orientation centered in Christ.

Blest the sign which thus reminds me,

Saviour of thy love for me;

But more blest the love that binds me

In its deathless bonds to thee.^51

Tis thou has called our hearts to flee

From sense and sin, and follow thee.^52

This following gained shaped through formation in Christian affection:

Let graces then in exercise

Be exercised again;

And nurtur'd by celestial power

In exercise remain.

Awake our love, our fear, our hope,

Wake fortitude and joy;

Vain world, begone; let things above

Our happy thoughts employ.^53

49. S.S. Burdette (comp.), The Baptist Harmony (Philadelphia: E.W. Miller, 1842),
    hymn 289; and B. Manly and B. Manly, Jr. (comps.), The Baptist Psalmody: A Selec-
    tion of Hymns for the Worship of God (Atlanta: Sheldon and Connor, 1867), hymn 908,
    p. 551.


50. A. Broaddus (comp.) The Dover Selection of Spiritual Songs (Richmond, VA:
    P.I. Smith, 1829), hymn 51, p. 90; A. Broaddus, The Virginia Selection of Psalms,
    Hymns, and Spiritual Songs (Richmond, VA: Smith, Drinker, and Morris, 1846), hymn
    155, p. 156; and Burdette, Harmony, hymn 292, p. 236.


51. B. Stow and S. Smith (comps.), The Psalmist: A New Collection of Hymns for
    the Use of the Baptist Churches with a Supplement (Philadelphia: American Baptist
    Publication Society, 1847), hymn 817, p. 427.


52. Manly and Manly, Jr, Psalmody, hymn 898, p. 546.