The Invocation

"In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Have you ever wondered why we begin the Divine Service with these words?

There are two key reason for beginning with these words.
  1. It publicly declares to everyone who is there that we are gathered in the name of the Triune God.  It is God's house and God's service.
  2. It is a reminder of our Baptism.  When you were baptized, whether your remember it or not, you were baptized into the name of the Triune God.  Jesus instructed in Matthew 28:19-20 that we baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and so the church has done just that. And since the time of the Apostles, Christians have started the Divine Service by using the same words used when they were baptized.  It has served as a reminder for Christians throughout the history of the church of the promises of God that are theirs in Holy Baptism.
The invocation can serve as a reminder to Christians today as well.  Beginning the service with the same words with which you were baptized reminds us that God is the one who first acted to save us, that salvation is entirely a gift from God.

It can also remind us of the promises that are ours through Holy Baptism, such as...
  •  Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Rom 6:3-5)
  • In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. (Col 2:11-12)
  • Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, (1Pe 3:21)
  • Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mar 16:16)
  • And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Act 2:38)
  • And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.' (Act 22:16)
  • For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Gal 3:27)
  • But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Tit 3:4-7)
The list could go on.

So the next time we begin with the Invocation, In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, think about the promises that God has for you through Holy Baptism and you can then give a heartfelt, "Amen!"

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