Certain numbers have instant recognizable biblical credibility. 12, 40, 7, 10. Earlier today I created an image crafted with scriptural words about baptism. One of the words I included was simply “Eight.†Why eight? Well the simple answer is this verse:
1 Peter 3:20-22 …God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 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, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
But eight has even more biblical clout than that. I must admit that eight is one of my favorite biblical numbers. Here are some “eight†connections from the Scriptures:
- The eighth day was the first day lived out after creation was completed (creation of Sabbath included) in Eden.
Eight people in all were saved in the ark during the flood (noted above). This is why most baptismal fonts have eight sides. - Males were welcomed in the old covenant through circumcision on the eighth day of life.
- There was often in the Old Testament a solemn assembly on the eighth day after feasts.
- Jesus was circumcised and named on the eighth day.
- Jesus was raised on the eighth day.
- Gods people have ever since worshipped on the eighth day. Worship happens on the eighth day looking back to the resurrection and forward to the eschaton.
In biblical chronology, eight is the number of resurrection and rebirth. Ultimately it is all about Jesus’ resurrection. That resurrection was once transferred to God people through circumcision and now is given in baptism. Each Sunday (the eight day) we gather to celebrate the resurrection and to receive the fruits of the resurrection in Word and Sacrament. We leave resurrected by the power of Christ.
I have always loved the theology of the number 8…especially the baptismal theology. The baptismal font in our church is in the shape of an octagon: 8 sided! Love explaining that to people.
Can you explain the last two points a little more?
(I posted once before but I don’t know where it went.)
Thanks,
Jaime
Jaime –
In Jewish thought the week ends with the Sabbath (sundown Friday to sundown Saturday). According to the scriptures (Genesis) the Sabbath was the seventh day. That makes Sunday the first day of the week or the “eighth day.” As early as 74AD we have letters that refer to worshiping on the eighth day:
Letter of Barnabas 15:6-8, written in A.D. 74, “We keep the eighth day [Sunday] with joyfulness, the day also on which Jesus rose again from the dead.”
Does that speak to your questions?
Yes it does. 🙂 Thanks.
Phil,
I was just looking through your blog and read this post. I can still remember your chapel service at Trinity about the 8 sided baptismal font. I had never heard that before and always think of it when I go past the font. Thanks for the memories.
Laurie