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The Daily Devotional
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The Anchor and the Sail: One Baptism, A Lifetime of Yes
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” — Ephesians 4:4-6
Introduction
In the early church, baptism was the definitive line between the old life and the new—a singular event of washing, dying, and rising with Christ. Yet, as we journey through the modern landscape of denominations and traditions, the clarity of that "one baptism" can sometimes become muddied by our changing circumstances. Today’s scripture reminds us that despite our varied experiences or the specific rituals we have encountered, the Spirit’s work is a unifying, singular seal upon our lives.
Reflection
Water is water, yet in the life of the Church, it takes many forms. Some of us were sprinkled as infants, held in the arms of parents who promised to raise us in the light of Christ. Others were dipped or fully immersed in rivers or tanks as adults, making a conscious choice to follow Jesus. Some speak of a "baptism by fire"—those seasons of intense trial where our faith is refined not by water, but by heat and struggle.
For many believers, the journey is not a straight line. If you grew up in a family that moved often or shifted between denominations, you might share a story similar to mine. As a child and young man, "church" was a fluid concept. In some traditions, my previous baptism was viewed with skepticism. To be safe, or to fit in, or simply because I wanted to be sure I "got it right," I submitted to the waters again and again. I spent years thinking baptism was something I had to perfect—a knot I had to tie tight enough so it wouldn't slip.
It took years to understand the theology of "One Baptism." The grace of God is not a knot we tie; it is an anchor He drops. Whether it was the first sprinkle or the third immersion, God only needed to mark me once. The other times were perhaps for my own comfort, but in God's eyes, I was already His. The water washes; it does not need to be re-applied like a fading coat of paint.
This realization changes how we view Confirmation. If baptism is the anchor, Confirmation is raising the sail.
In the liturgical tradition, specifically the Episcopal Church, Confirmation is not a "re-baptism." It is a mature, public affirmation of the vows often made on our behalf at baptism. It is the moment we stand up and say, "The Holy Spirit that sealed me then is empowering me now."
Standing before the Bishop to be confirmed at an advanced age is a humbling experience. I was not a teenager coming of age; I was a man with a history, scars, and a lifetime of faith behind me. Coming from a Lutheran background, where I had already tasted the grace of God, this Episcopal confirmation was distinct. It wasn't about becoming a Christian all over again; it was about stepping into a specific role within the Body of Christ.
It was a necessary step of obedience and clarity, especially as I began to discern a call to ordained ministry. You cannot lead others to the water if you are not sure of your own standing on the shore. Confirmation allowed me to look back at the confused "multiple baptisms" of my youth and say, "God was faithful through them all, but now I claim His faithfulness with a single, undivided heart."
Consider an apprenticeship. Imagine a master carpenter. When he takes on an apprentice, they sign a contract—an indenture. That contract is signed once. It makes the boy an apprentice legally and fully. However, the apprentice does not know the trade yet. He spends years sanding wood, learning the grain, making mistakes, and watching the master.
Years later, when he presents his "masterpiece" to the guild and becomes a Master Craftsman, he does not go back and sign the apprentice contract again. That contract is done. Instead, he receives a new recognition. He is confirmed in his trade. The contract gave him the identity of a carpenter; the years of work and the final ceremony gave him the authority to build.
Baptism is the contract of grace—signed in Christ’s blood, once and for all. Confirmation is the recognition that we have learned the trade, walked the floor, and are now ready to build up the Church with our own hands.
Application
Today, rest in the security of your baptism. You do not need to "do it again" to make God love you more. If you feel distant from God, you don't need a new baptism; you need to stir up the gift that is already in you.
If you are in a season of transition—perhaps moving toward a new role in ministry, a new church home, or a deeper level of commitment—consider how you can "confirm" your faith today. It might not be a ceremony with a Bishop, but it can be a moment of prayer where you say, "Lord, I accept the identity you gave me in the water. Now, empower me for the work ahead."
Conclusion
We serve a God of decisive action. He calls, He washes, and He sends. While our understanding of Him may grow and change as we move from tradition to tradition or season to season, His hold on us remains constant. Baptism is our entrance into the family; Confirmation is our acceptance of the family responsibilities. Both are acts of grace, guiding us toward a lifetime of growth.
Prayer
Gracious and Loving God, thank You for the waters of baptism that cleanse us and mark us as Christ’s own forever. I thank You that even when my faith was young and confused, Your promise remained solid. I pray for all those searching for belonging today—that they may find their anchor in You. Grant me the courage to confirm my faith not just with words, but with a life lived in service to others. Empower me by Your Spirit to walk confidently in my calling, knowing that I am washed, sealed, and sent. In the name of Jesus, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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