“Sacrament”

1) A sacred act instituted by Christ for Christians to do.

2) Uses earthly elements along with God’s Word.

3) Offers and gives forgiveness of sins, life and salvation

Lesson 44

What is Baptism?

Why is the water we use in Baptism not just plain water?

Mark 7:3-4(The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they

give their hands a ceremonial washing,

holding to the tradition of the elders. When they

come from the marketplace they do not

eat unless they wash. And they observe many other

traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers

and kettles.) water

Jesus commands us to use

Why is the water we use in Baptism not just plain water?

Matthew 28:19

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing

them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit…baptize

Jesus commands us

Why is the water we use in Baptism not just plain water?

Ephesians 5:26

…to make her holy, cleansing

her by the washing with water through

the word…his Word

water

Jesus commands us to use

together with

Key Point #1

The water in Baptism is not just plain water, because it is water God has commanded us to use

and it is connected with his Word.

Agree or Disagree?

Water that has been used for a baptism should not be poured

down the drain after the baptism because it is special water.

Evaluate…

Meg, a teenager, wanted to be baptized standing in a river,

instead of standing next to the baptismal font in church.

What’s wrong here?

As a pastor pours water on a baby’s head, he says, “I baptize you in the name of the Creator,

the Redeemer, and the Comforter.”

John asks his pastor, “Why does Jesus tell us in Matthew 28:19 to baptize in the name of the triune

God, when in Acts 2:38 Peter talks about being baptized in

Jesus’ name?” How would you answer John?

Whom are we to baptize?

Matthew 28:19

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing

them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit… all nations

Whom are we to baptize?

Acts 2:38Peter replied,

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of

your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit… adults

all nations includes

Whom are we to baptize?

Acts 2:39…The promise is for you and your children and for

all who are far off—for all whom

the Lord our God will call.”

children

all nations includes

Key Point #2

God commands us to baptize “all nations” – both children and

adults.

Why do we baptize children?

Matthew 28:19

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing

them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit…all nations

children

are part of

Why do we baptize children?

Psalm 51:5

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the

time my mother conceived me.

sinful

children

are by nature

Why do we baptize children?

Matthew 18:6But if anyone causes

one of these little ones who believe in me to

sin, it would be better for him to have a

large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the

depths of the sea.

believe in Jesus

children

can

Key Point #3We baptize little children since

“all nations” includes them, they are sinful, and they can believe.

When little Stephanie was baptized, her parents received several

greeting cards that expressed the joy that some of their friends had when they hard about Stephanie’s birth and her baptism. Some cards

spoke about Stephanie’s christening. Why do you suppose a baptism would be referred to as a

christening?

Lesson 44

Baptism is an act that Jesus commands us to do to all nations,

using water together with his Word.

Vocabulary…

“baptize”

to apply water in various ways

Vocabulary…

“immersion”

“dunked” completely under the water

Vocabulary…

“baptismal font”

the stand in church which holds the water for a

baptism