TOPIC 22 OF 47
Baptism
God joins his Word to water and gives us his saving name.
THE MAIN TRUTH
Baptism is a sacrament—a sacred act instituted by Christ that uses God’s Word connected with a visible element and joined to a promise of God’s grace.
The teaching
From the book · pages 66–68
Baptism is a sacrament—a sacred act instituted by Christ that uses God’s Word connected with a visible element and joined to a promise of God’s grace. As the washing of water (by pouring, immersing, or sprinkling) together with God’s Word, Baptism is the means by which the Lord Jesus publicly adopts us as believers into God’s family.
When we are baptized in the Triune name, God puts his name on us and joins us to himself and to his saving work. We are baptized into Christ Jesus and into his death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, salvation, and eternal life. The Father declares us his beloved children, and the Holy Spirit is poured out on us with his life-giving presence.
What Christ gives us through his Word in Baptism we receive by faith. He marks us as born-again children of God and the Holy Spirit brings forth the new life of faith in us. Infants and young children, who are born with a sinful nature, are also baptized because Jesus invites parents to bring them to him. As the example of conversion, children simply receive with spiritual trust what God’s Word gives them in Baptism.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
Notice the promises attached to Baptism: forgiveness, union with Christ, the Spirit, and new life. Read these as God’s gifts received through faith, not achievements we offer him.
11 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
Matthew 28:19-20 ↗
“Therefore go and gather disciples from all nations by baptizing them in [or ‘into’] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. . .”
Book page 67
SCRIPTURE 02
John 3:3,5, 22-23 ↗
“Jesus replied, ‘Amen, Amen, I tell you: Unless someone is born from above . . . born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven’ . . . [Jesus] spent some time with [his disciples] and was baptizing . . . because there was plenty of water.”
Book page 67
SCRIPTURE 03
Galatians 3:26-27, 29 ↗
“In fact, you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Indeed, as many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ . . . And if you belong to Christ, then you are . . . heirs according to his promise.”
Book page 67
SCRIPTURE 04
Romans 6:3 ↗
“. . . do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”
Book page 67
SCRIPTURE 05
Colossians 2:11-12 ↗
“You were also circumcised in him, with a circumcision not done by human hands, in the putting off of the body of flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, when you were buried with Christ in baptism. And in baptism you were also raised with him through the faith worked by the God who raised Christ from the dead.”
Book page 67
SCRIPTURE 06
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. For the promise is for you and for your children. . .”
Book page 68
SCRIPTURE 07
Acts 22:16 ↗
“Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”
Book page 68
SCRIPTURE 08
Titus 3:4-6 ↗
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared, he saved us . . . through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.”
Book page 68
SCRIPTURE 09
Ephesians 5:25-26 ↗
“. . . Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, by cleansing her with the washing of water in connection with the Word.”
Book page 68
SCRIPTURE 10
1 Peter 3:20-21 ↗
“. . . baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Book page 68
SCRIPTURE 11
Mark 10:13-15 ↗
“Some people began bringing little children [babies, Luke 18:15] to Jesus so that he would touch them . . . He said, ‘Let the little children come to me! Do not hinder them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen I tell you: Whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’”
Book page 68
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
What makes Baptism more than ordinary water or a human symbol?
What promises does God attach to his name in Baptism?
How do the passages concerning children contribute to the book’s teaching?
A prayer
Father, thank you for placing your name upon us in Baptism. Keep us in Christ’s forgiveness and renew the faith and life you give through your Spirit. Amen.