So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Galatians 3:26-27
Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.
Ephesians 5:14
DEVOTION
“Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Paul concluded this section of his lesson to the church in Emphasis, which was our devotional reading this morning, with a quote from a hymn. As it is with us today, a hymn stanza would be instantly recognizable along with the message that it is associated. If anyone in the congregation was uncertain of the message Paul was trying to convey, there would be immediate clarification when they heard the words of a very familiar hymn. It is the message that the light of Christ will overcome the darkness of evil.
“Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” This stanza came from a very important and well-known hymn to the first century Christians because it was probably sung as a part of their baptismal liturgy. We are not certain it was a part of the baptismal liturgy, but its message and format make baptism its’ the most probable use. As the adult who was baptized, being fully immersed in the water, came up out of the river, the congregation standing on the shore would sing “Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” The baptized individual has now awakened from darkness into the light of Christ. The baptized individual is no longer asleep in sin but alive in grace.
The earliest complete account of the baptismal liturgy of the church comes to us in the year 200 A.D. by Hippolytus as he recorded it in his book The Apostolic Tradition. Hippolytus, who resided in Rome, is considered to be the most important third century theologian in the church. Because of the place that Hippolytus held in the church and because of the title of his book, it is believed that the liturgical practices that he recorded date back to the first years of the church, and most certainly to the time of Paul.
From the writings of Hippolytus, we know the early church’s practice regarding baptism. Those desiring to be baptized were brought before the leaders of the church. Certain individuals were automatically disqualified for consideration, who were: prostitutes, pimps, actors, circus performers, soldiers, gladiators, and certain government officials. Those selected to be considered for baptism studied for three years under careful supervision. This long period of preparation was called the catechumenate from which we get our word “catechism,” which means instruction. Attendance at worship was also required during these years. During these years the candidates would study, pray, fast, and were taught the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. There would also be continued rites of exorcism intended to release the catechumen from the power of the devil. At the end of three years the congregation had to vote on the penitents’ acceptance.
The liturgical rite of baptism began before dawn on Easter Day, the only day of the year in which baptisms were performed. During the night a prayer vigil was held with scripture reading. At sunlight the candidates came to the water’s edge barefoot and wearing rough clothing made of animal hair, which symbolized their life in sin. They were then stripped naked. Three times the oil of exorcism was placed on them. Each time the candidate would face west, in the direction of the setting sun and darkness. Then the candidate would face east, in the direction of the rising sun and light. The candidate would then be asked three questions, answering each with the words “I believe.” The first question: “Do you believe in God the Father Almighty?” The second question: “Do you believe in Christ Jesus, the Son of God…” and this question would continue with a portion of the Apostle’s Creed as we know it today. The third question, “Do you believe in the Holy Spirit…” and again the question would continue with a portion of the Apostle’s Creed as we know it today.
The candidate would then be immersed. As the candidate came up out of the water the congregation would sing a baptismal hymn, while the newly inducted Christian was given shoes, a white robe to wear and a lighted candle. The bishop would then lay his hands upon each one, while, with oil, make the sign of the cross on their foreheads. Then all the worshipers would celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
The baptismal liturgy is a symbolic representation that Christians are to be the light of the world that overcomes the darkness of evil. They wore the shoes of discipleship. They wore the white robe of martyrdom. They held a candle to give light to a dark world.
It is the message that Paul wrote about in our reading this morning and why he selected a baptismal hymn to emphasize his message of Christians being the light that will expose the darkness of evil.
Remember your baptism.
You are to be a light in a dark world.
Sleeper, awake! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.