Back to Baptism

I read this morning, via Dr. Wainwright's assigned texts, an understanding of the meaning of baptism that I wanted to share here, because I don't believe this voice has been heard here. [Translated: because it contradicts/nuances my own thinking!] It's from St. John Chrysostom. Quoting Wainwright in his "For Our Salvation, p. 112ff: "...the threefold dignity of Christians [that is, royal, priestly, and prophetic] came to sacramental expression, for Chrysostom, in the anointing they received at baptism." Wainwright goes on to make a strong case (from Orthodox tradition) for the sacramental importance of baptism in terms of our acting out our role in the theodrama (my words)in which we, by putting on Christ in the white robe of baptism, are vested with the linen ephod of King David [defender/ruler], the sacerdotal vestments of Aaron and his sons [reconciler/intercessory], and the mantle of the prophet Elijah [revealer of God's will]. He quotes Wesley on p.108, revealing a similar emphasis by Wesley. Note the therapeutic, rather than juridical, soteriological premise. Good stuff!