Baptism
Baptism
is a Means of Grace
There are
different views of Baptism among Christians. As you
continue on Lutheran
101, here is
information on how Lutherans understand
Baptism.
The
Christian Cyclopedia
defines
Baptism as:
"*
Baptism instituted by Christ.
Baptism was instituted by Christ (Mt 28:18–19) and is to
be used as a means to
impart
forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation
till the end of time. Its visible element is water (1 Ptr
3:20–21); nothing else may be substituted. The mode of
applying water is an adiaphoron, the Gk. term baptizein
meaning not only immersing but also washing, sprinkling,
and pouring (Mk 7:3–4; Acts 1:5 cf. 2:16–17; Eph.
5:25–26; Heb 9:10 [“washings,” literally “baptisms”] cf.
Nm 19:13, 19; Didache 7:1–3).
*
Purpose of Baptism.
“It works
forgiveness
of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives
eternal salvation
to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God
declare”. Acc. to Scripture, Christ sanctifies His ch.
with the washing of water by the Word (Eph 5:25–26).
Baptism makes disciples of men (Mt 28:19); it saves (1
Ptr 3:21); it is a washing of regeneration (Tts 3:5) by
which men are born again (Jn 3:5–6). Through Baptism we
put on Christ, that is, His merits and righteousness, by
the very faith which, by application of the Gospel, it
creates in the heart (Gl 3:26–27); for Baptism is pure
Gospel, not Law, and hence it does not save mechanically,
but by faith, which receives the blessings Baptism offers
and which is worked by this Sacrament; the Gospel is both
the means of creating faith and the foundation of faith.
Baptism also unites the baptized with the Triune God, for
we are baptized into communion with the Father, Son, and
Holy Ghost (Mt 28:19) as also into communion with Christ
(Gl 3:27). And by Baptism we are buried with Christ into
death, that is, through Baptism we partake of the merits
which Christ procured for the whole world by His
vicarious suffering and death (Ro 6:3–5). Baptism, as the
application of the saving Gospel, is, therefore, a
true
means of
grace.
“How can water do such great things? It is not the
water indeed that does them, but the word of God which
is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such
word of God in the water”. Baptism is a means of grace
because it “is not simple water only, but it is the
water comprehended in God's command and connected with
God's word", the Gospel promise of salvation. Those
who have fallen from baptismal grace should remember
that God's promises of forgiveness, life, and
salvation remain unshaken; they should return
penitently to the Gospel covenant est. by God with the
baptized in and through Baptism.
*
Meaning of Baptism.
By Baptism we are buried with Christ into death and arise
with Him to newness of life (Ro 6:4). “What does such
baptizing with water signify? It signifies that the Old
Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be
drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts and, again,
a new man daily come forth and arise, who shall live
before God in righteousness and purity forever”.
*
Infant Baptism.
Baptism in the NT is the counterpart of circumcision in
the OT (Cl 2:11–12), and in the OT infants were
circumcised (Gn 17:12; Lv 12:3). In the NT families were
baptized (Acts 16:15, 33; 18:8; 1 Co 1:16); in Acts
2:38–41 Baptism is connected with the promise “to your
children.” Christ's command to baptize all nations
certainly also included infants (Mt 28:19–20). The need
for infant regeneration is clear (Ps 51:5; Jn 3:6; Eph
2:3). Baptism is the washing of regeneration and renewing
of the Holy Ghost (Jn 3:3–7; Tts 3:5). Christ desires to
have also little children brought to Him for the
blessings of His grace (Mk 10:14). Little children can
believe (Mt 18:2–6)."
Infant Baptism
Why We Baptize
Babies
Infant Baptism
I
Infant Baptism
II
In Defense of Infant
Baptism
Evidence for Infant Baptism in the
Church Fathers and Inscriptions
Infant Baptism in the Early
Church
Baptism
Baptism and Faith: Just Whose Work Is
It?
Is Baptism Our Symbolic Work for God or
God's Powerful Work for Us?
Baptism in the New Testament
On Baptism
Visit
The Wittenberg Trail Online
Community
What does it mean to Baptize?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
Should infants be Baptized?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
What is the relationship between Faith and
Baptism?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
Can you be saved without Baptism?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
What is so special about the water of
Baptism?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.
Why should you remember your Baptism every
day?
Rev. Ernie
Lassman, pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church in Seattle,
WA, posted this video on both his
church website and
on
YouTube.