The Sacraments1. The Nature of Holy Baptism:

Understanding how we come to faith…

Chain the Catechism: A topical study through the Lutheran confessions

Memorization Verses:

Acts 2:38-39 Peter 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."

LSB 6021 The gifts Christ freely gives He gives to you and meTo be His Church, His bride,His chosen, saved and free!Saints blest with these rich

giftsAre children who proclaimThat they were won by ChristAnd cling to His strong name.

2 The gifts flow from the fontWhere He calls us His own;New life He gives that makesUs His and His alone.Here He forgives our sinsWith water and His Word;The triune God HimselfGives pow’r to call Him Lord.

3 The gifts of grace and peaceFrom absolution flow;The pastor’s words are

Christ’sFor us to trust and know.Forgiveness that we needIs granted to us there;The Lord of mercy sendsUs forth in His blest care.

4 The gifts are there each dayThe holy Word is read;God’s children listen, hear,Receive, and they are fed.Christ fills them with Himself,Blest words that give them

life,Restoring and refreshing

Them for this world’s strife.

6 All glory to the OneWho lavishes such love;The triune God in loveAssures our life above.His means of grace for usAre gifts He loves to give;All thanks and praise for HisGreat love by which we live!

Sing it!

Baptism: Graphically organize the nature of it.

PRAYER

•Water+Word•Water+Spirit•All Nations•Children Come•Teaching

P raiseR epentanceA ppreciationY ouE veryoneR esolve

 Gone, gone, gone, gone,

Yes my sins are gone.

Now my soul is free and in my hearts a song.

Buried in the deepest sea

Yes, that's good enough for me.

I shall live eternally.

Praise God! My sins are g-o-n-e, gone!

Sing it!

DiscussionWater, taken in moderation, cannot hurt anybody. ~Mark Twain

A funeral is not death, any more than baptism is birth or marriage union. All three are the clumsy devices, coming now too late, now too early, by which Society would register the quick motions of man. E.M. Forster, Howard’s End

In baptism one returns to the state of creation ... when all humanity was unified.

L. MICHAEL WHITE, From Jesus to Christianity

That is the best baptism that leaves the man cleanest inside.

HENRY WARD BEECHER, Proverbs from Plymouth Pulpit

The Sacraments

Say Mean Matter

Key phrases Own words Answer the questions/Personal application

• What is baptism? • Which is that word of God? • What does the word baptize mean? • What is so special about the water of Baptism? •Who instituted Holy Baptism? •What does it mean to baptize "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"? •Who is to baptize? •Who is to be baptized? • What distinction is to be made in baptizing? •Why are babies to be baptized? •Why does the church encourage the use of sponsors at Baptism?______________________________ SS: Water + Word M: Water + Spirit T: All Nations W: Children Come Th: Teaching

Baptism: 4 Truths to Defend There are 4 basic truths concerning Baptism:

1. Faith is a gift given by the whole working of the Trinity through the Cross TO THE CHURCH.

2. Baptism is meant for all people, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, or mental capacity as THE PLACE in which God PROMISES HIS PRESENCE.

3. Baptism confers saving grace as an

objective truth by His word, and is the

proper means and reality by which the Elect live all their days.

4. Baptism is the dying to sin and rising in Christ; a spiritual and physical truth that manifests in worship

Baptism: What does it mean? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus having been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life

~Romans 6:3-4 ba/ptisma: immersion and submersion. Refers to

calamities, washing of hands, and being under water. In this case, baptism is referring to the Church ritual of receiving newness through water and the word.

eiv ton qanaton: Parallels verse 5 “we died WITH Christ”  

diathv dochv tou patrov, outwv kai hmeiv en kainothti zwhvperipathswmen: dia is used twice, “through baptism” and “through the glory of the Father” denotes reason, channel, means by which something happens

First: Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's word: Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew: "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." [Matt. 28:19].

• Pray: Grant me, O God, in

judgment’s hour to feel alone Your saving power. Let mercy’s ray unclouded shine. Let the full stream of grace be mine. For grace and mercy dwell with you. Eternally may I dwell there, too. Amen. (Gregory of Nazianzus. C. 329-c. 390)

SS: Water + Word

Baptize means to apply water by immersing, washing, pouring, and the like.

Ezek. 36:25-27 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

Mark 7:4 When they [the Pharisees] come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing [baptizing] of cups, pitchers, and kettles.

Heb. 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our

bodies washed with pure water. Note: To baptize with the Holy Spirit

(Matt. 3:11) means to "pour out" the Spirit (Acts 1:5 and Acts 2:1718). "It is nothing else than a divine water, not that the water in itself is nobler than other water but that God's Word and commandment are added to it" (Large Catechism IV, 14).

God Himself instituted Baptism, for our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His church to baptize all nations.

Matt. 28:19-20 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.

In Baptism, God, the Holy Trinity, receives me into communion or fellowship with Himself.

•

M: Water + Spirit

Pray: Keep, I pray, my faith undefiled. Even till my spirit departs, grant that this may be the expression of my convictions, so that I may ever hold fast that which I professed in the creed of my new birth, when I was baptized in the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In short, let me adore You, our Father, and Your Son together with You. Let me win the favor of Your Holy Spirit, who is from You, through Your Only-begotten. For I have a convincing witness to my faith, who says, “Father, all that are Mine are Yours and all that are Yours are mine.” This is my Lord Jesus Christ, who abides in You and from You, and with You, forever God, who is blessed forever and ever. Amen. (Hilary of Poitiers, c. 315-c. 368).

M: Water + Spirit

Baptism: Is it for everyone? Three different groups have been discouraged

from the font for different reasons throughout Church history: “Bad” People: People who MIGHT be in position

to sin too much later in life and won’t be able to repent enough without the added benefit of baptism on their deathbed. (4th c. Christianity as advised under Tertullian)

“Doubt” People: People who might be unsure that God is calling them to the font; either through lack of knowledge/commitment, or anxiety over false confessions.

“Unfit” People: People who might be too young or mentally undeveloped to “receive faith” intellectually, or our not actually held responsible for sin (or are innocent until an age of accountabilty).

Normally the called ministers of Christ are to baptize, but in cases of emergency and when no pastor is available, any Christian should baptize.

1 Cor. 4:1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (NKJV).

Note: For a short form of Baptism in cases of emergency, see the end of this section.

"All nations" are to be baptized, that is, all people, young and old.

A.Those who can receive instruction are to be baptized after they have been instructed in the main articles of the Christian faith.

Acts 2:38-39 Peter 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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized.

Bible narratives: The Ethiopian was instructed

before he was baptized (Acts 8:26-39). The jailer was instructed before he was baptized (Acts 16:25-33).

• Pray: Remember, O Lord, all who in heathen

lands are under instruction for Holy Baptism. Have mercy upon them and confirm them in the faith. Remove all the reamins of idolatry and superstition from their hearts, that being devoted to Your law, Your precepts, Your fear, Your truths, and Your commandments, they may grow to a firm knowledge of the Word in which they have been instructed. And may they be found worthy to become a dwelling of the Holy Spirit, by the washing of regeneration for the forgiveness of their sins, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Basil of Caesarea, c. 330-79)

T: All Nations

Baptism: Connection to Faith Answering the question “is it for everyone” starts

with another question “How does Baptism relate and connect to Faith?” The two are different. A personal and abiding Faith

DOES save alone (sola fide) However, Faith abides as a visible community (the

Church and the Family) in which people profess and declare the Word of God TOGETHER.

In this context, we do not grant the certainty that everyone who “professes” has faith, nor that those who do not “profess” do not have faith (visible and invisible Church)

Faith ALSO communes with the objective reality of Baptism, and is therefore effective because of Trust.

This is not a single event, but a continual reclamation, resurrection, newness of being.

Baptism: Responding to the Objections

Responding to the objections in turn:“Bad” people: Baptism is HOW you who

are faithful DIE to the sin that you profess to hate. You also become alive in Christ so that you should not fear being a slave to sin again.

Just as Christ’s death is a one time event ushering a new reality and identity before the Father, so also we have the promise of finality regarding our position before the Father (i.e. His Children, heirs to the promise, slaves to Christ, soldiers of the gospel)

Baptism: Connection to Faith

“Doubt” people: Baptism, just as Faith, is not

an unsure commitment or good work that you accomplish for God

But God desires to be with you in Baptism and through the word, as that is where he has promised to be.

Do not be afraid of the gifts of God.

Baptism: Connection to Faith“Unfit” people:

The Holy Spirit is NOT confined to someone’s brain (or liver, or heart for that matter).

If the Spirit works to make fetus John excited about fetus Jesus, why might He shy away from making baby Ben or baby Jude or baby Jasmine His with the “circumcision” of the heart found in Baptism? (Col. 2:11).

People may come to reject and deny Baptism, but does this say anything about the impotence of Baptism?

Does the sewer look at his seed on rocky soil and think “these seeds are crap”? Should teaching children also be restricted unless they are old enough?

B. Little children should be baptized when they are brought to Baptism by those who have authority over them.

Mark 10:13-15 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Babies are to be baptized because A. they are included in the words "all nations"; Matt. 28:19 Go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38-39 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. The promise is for you and your children.

B. Jesus especially invites little children to come to Him;

Luke 18:15-17 People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have Him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the

children to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child, will never enter it.”

• Pray: We beg you, O God of truth, on behalf of

Your servants and pray that You would count them worthy of the divine mystery and of Your indescribable regeneration. For to You, O loving God, we offered them. To You we devote them: Grant that every baptized person may live in this divine regeneration, to the end that they may no longer be led by any bad and evil one, but worship You continually and observe Your ordinances as Your only-begotten Word guides them. For through Christ to You is the glory and the strength of the Holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen. (Serapion of Thumuis, d. after 360).

W: Children Come

Baptism: Baptism and IncarnationChrist is truly present IN Baptism

Everything that Christ accomplishes through his Incarnation, Humiliation, Crucifixion and Resurrection become a unified reality in Baptism

Just as God declares that human flesh will be His own, so also He declares that Water, Spoken Word, Bread and Wine are His own.

Just as Christ declares forgiveness throughout History using different means, so also the entirety of grace as a state of being is declared in Baptism.

C. as sinners, babies need what Baptism offers; John 3:5-6 No one can enter the kingdom of God

unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

Eph. 2:3 Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

D. babies also are able to have faith. Matt. 18:6 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.

Bible narrative: John the Baptist was "filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth" (Luke 1:15), and even before birth (1:41-44).

Sponsors witness that those who receive this sacrament have been properly baptized. They also pray for them and in the case of children, help with their Christian upbringing, especially if they should lose their parents. Only those of the same confession of faith should be sponsors.

Matt. 18:16 "Every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

Eph. 4:16 From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

• Pray: Heavenly Father, even the smallest

infants recognize their parents and ry out for their care. Through Holy Baptism, You have opened Your kingdom to people of all ages. Lead us to treasure our Baptism the way an infant treasure the gentle embraces of its parents. Grant us a lifelong faith springing from Your command and nurtured by the sincere milk of Your Word, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. (EE)

Th Teaching

Baptism: A daily font of worshipEven though all the gifts of Grace through

Faith are given in Baptism as a singular event, it has continual benefitsOur life of worship begins and ends at the

font (church architecture usually relates this truth symbolically).

Everything in life is a reminder of God’s forgiveness, since His means are base substances (Shower, washing hands, swimming, drinking, admiring)

We worship in weakness, relying upon God for our salvation. We live in our death, knowing God has raised us to new life. ENJOY THE HAPPY CONFLICT!

Baptism: "Thus in the Old Testament

the faces of the Lord were the pillar of fire, the cloud, and the mercy seat; in the New Testament, baptism, the Lord's Supper, the ministry of the word, and the like. By means of these God shows us, as by a visible sign, that He is with us, takes care of us, and is favorably inclined toward us." LW 1:30

"PRAY ON" from « American Negro Songs »by J. W. Work, 1940

In the river of Jordan John baptizedHow I long to be baptizedIn the river of Jordan John baptizedUnto the dying Lamb

 Pray on! Pray on! Pray on! You mourning soulsPray on! Pray on Unto the dying Lamb

 We baptize all that come by faithHow I long to be baptizedWe baptize all that come by faithUnto the dying Lamb

 Here’s another one come to be baptizedHow I long to be baptizedHere’s another one come to be baptizedUnto the dying Lamb

Sing it!

ConclusionFirst: Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's word.Baptize means to apply water by immersing, washing, pouring, and the like. "It is nothing else than a divine water, not that the water in itself is nobler than other water but that God's Word and commandment are added to it" (Large Cat. IV, 14).God Himself instituted Baptism, for our Lord Jesus Christ commanded His church to baptize all nations. In Baptism, God, the Holy Trinity, receives me into communion or fellowship with Himself. •Normally the called ministers of Christ are to baptize, but in cases of emergency and when no pastor is available, any Christian should baptize. "All nations" are to be baptized, that is, all people, young and old.A.Those who can receive instruction are to be baptized after they have been instructed in the main articles of the Christian faith. B. Little

children should be baptized when they are brought to Baptism by those who have authority over them. Babies are to be baptized becauseA. they are included in the words "all nations"; B. Jesus especially invites little children to come to Him; C. as sinners, babies need what Baptism offers; D. babies also are able to have faith. Sponsors witness that those who receive this sacrament have been properly baptized. They also pray for them and in the case of children, help with their Christian upbringing, especially if they should lose their parents. Only those of the same confession of faith should be sponsors.

The Blessing of Baptism

Next Time…(01/20)