So, reading the akathist to our Mother, I came upon a thought, that I wanted to run by you all: The Church is our Mother, and our Mother is the Church. We are born (baptized) in Church. Could it be said that the waters of baptism is like the waters of our Mother who gives birth to us as new Christians? Is this an Orthodox thought? If not, where did my thought go wrong?
Justin,
The church is not our mother but we are the church.
This is what apostle Paul have said:
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of the household of God, -Ephesians 2:19
built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, -Ephesians 2:20
in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. -Ephesians 2:21
In sum, we the Gentiles who are brought near Christ’s blood are now longer strangers and aliens but are fellow citizens with God’s people, the Jews in what God has promised.
In union with Christ Jesus, we both Gentiles and Jews being joined together and grows into a holy temple ( the holy church ).
Also, we are Not baptized in church !
As apostle Paul have said :
Do you not know that ALL OF US who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? -Romans 6:3
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. -Romans 6:4
Therefore, we are baptized into Christ Jesus !
Regarding the water, this is what apostle John have said :
This is he who came by water and blood'Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. -1 John 5:6
the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. -1 John 5:8
the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree. -1 John 5:8
If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son. -1 John 5:9
So, Jesus Christ came not by the water only but by the water and blood. This is what the Spirit of God testifies !
May you receive the testimony of the Spirit of God and be blessed.