Lesson 12: Holy Baptism

What is a sacrament? A sacrament is an earthly element connected with the Word of God (Jesus). It is instituted by Christ in which Christ is truly present in a created thing to bless us. God gives and seals the forgiveness of sins and thus also life and salvation. 

Now, what is Baptism? In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commands "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". Baptizing is what the apostles were commanded to do to the people of the nations. Let's also look at Mark 7:4 in the NKJV. "When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing [Greek: baptizing] of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches". The Greek word for washing in this passage is "baptismous". And the Greek for "they wash" is baptisontai. So to baptize simply means to wash. While Baptism by immersion is certainly one way to baptize, it's not the only way. Pouring or sprinkling are also valid forms of Baptism. Especially in circumstances where immersion is not appropriate. You wouldn't wash a couch in a pool, would you? And what of those unable to be submerged, such as the disabled or those with a crippling illness? 

But the point is, what is  necessary for a valid baptism? Simply, the Word and water. So what is Baptism? The Application of water with the Word. 

Why do we use specific words? Why do we baptize in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit? Because from the Father, all gifts come. Through the Son, all is one. By the Spirit, all is given. 

Who administers Baptism? Let's read Matthew 28:16-19. " Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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". Jesus commanded apostles and ministers to baptize. Therefore, only ordained minsters (pastors) have the authority to baptize. Even in non-Lutheran churches, perhaps you've seen that only pastors baptize new believers. The only exception to this rule is if someone must be baptized in an emergency. 

Who receives baptism? The apostles were commanded to make disciples of all nations. Let's also read Acts 16:33. "At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized". Who receives baptism? All nations! 

Are infants included in receiving baptism? Consider again Psalm 51:5. "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me". In what state are babies born? Dead in sin. Jesus declares in John 3:5-6, "I tell you the truth, 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". This is why infants must also be included in baptism. Furthermore, how are we to believe? Jesus said in Luke 18:16-17 "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". We are to believe like children. Even the littlest baby, even if they aren't mentally aware, can have faith in its heart and feel drawn to Christ Jesus. If Jesus were here today, and a baby were to walk to Jesus, would you stop that baby? Or let it come? Ephesians 4:4-5 declares "There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called-one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all". Does this include infants? Most certainly! All means all! 

Now you might be asking, "What happens to babies that died in abortions or miscarriages?". This is a good question. Even a baby at the moment of conception, still in the womb, can have faith in its heart as the baby's mother attends divine service with the baby in her belly. Consider Luke 1:41, when Elizabeth was pregnant with John the Baptist. "When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit". This is clear evidence that even the baby was aware of Jesus and filled with excitement and faith. This means even the unborn can have faith in their hearts. It is that faith that allows God to most likely make an exception, since they cannot be baptized when in their mothers' wombs. Of course though, a faithful mother that gives her unborn son faith would not think of aborting her child. So what happens to the aborted? We do not know for sure, as the ones who abort their children are murderers with no faith. Only God decides if he will make an exception for the unbaptized or not. God is fair, God is just, God is all knowing. All we can do is trust that He will do the right thing regardless of what we think. 

Back on track, what are the blessings of baptism? In Acts 2:38, Peter commands "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". Acts 22:16 also commands "Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name". The blessings we receive in Baptism are forgiveness, salvation, and life. Galatians 3:26 declares "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ". Who alone has the right to be God's Son? Jesus. And what are we because of our baptisms? We are sons of God. 

Romans 6:3-4 furthermore declares "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ we were raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life". Jesus died on the cross at Golgatha, to win our salvation. We are brought into that death at baptism. For us, physical death does not lead to eternal death, but instead a sleep, because we receive Christ in baptism. This is how we are certain that we are forgiven and that God will take us to heaven after death. 

How can water do such great things? Titus 3:5 declares "He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit". It is the Holy Spirit that brings the Word to us in baptism and so the blessings of baptism. Who is the Word? Jesus, as evidenced in John 1:1. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God". 

With what are we baptized. Water is one of them, but there is also something else. John 19:34 says "Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water". What comes out of Jesus? His blood and also water. 1 John 1:7 in the NKJV declares "The blood of Jesus Christ His son cleanses us from all sin". But let's also look at an incredible passage from Revelation! That being Revelation 7:14. "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb". So with what are we baptized? With not only water, but also by Jesus' blood! The Holy Spirit gives Jesus to us when we are baptized. 

How is Christ received? Mark 16:16 warns "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned". Colossians 2:12 also declares "You have been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead". What is necessary to receive the blessings of baptism? Faith. Those without faith cannot receive baptismal blessings. 

How do we live in our baptism? Romans 6:1 commands "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?". Galatians 5:24-25 also declares "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit". We live in our baptism by living by the Spirit. 

We don't say that we were baptized, as though it's a thing in the past. We say that we ARE baptized. That is why we live in our baptism. We are to "drown" ourselves daily. How do we do that? First is Contrition. Let's look at Luke 22:61-62. "The Lord turned and look straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly". Peter felt great sorrow when he realized he sinned against the Lord, just as the Lord had prophesied. So what is contrition? It is sorrow over sin. Sorrow over what we have done. 

The second thing is repentance. What is repentance? Acts 20:21 declares "I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus". Repentance is turning to God in faith. We daily drown our Old Adam by daily turning to Christ. What is the new man created like? Ephesians 4:24 declares "And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness". The new man is created holy, just as God is. 

What does the new man do? Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruits of the Spirit. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there s no law". The new man lives in the Spirit, which is how we get the fruits of the Spirit. We live in our baptism by repentance and faith, and from faith comes good works. 

To clear up a misconception about baptism, does being baptized mean that you will go to heaven no matter what? No, not if faith is no longer present. When a baby is baptized, it is not a free ticket to heaven if the baby loses faith as it grows up. Without faith, there can be no salvation. However, this would not mean that if the child comes back to faith, the child would need to be baptized again. Baptism is once and for all. Once you've been baptized properly, there's no need for another baptism. Furthermore, if someone is baptized in another denomination, does he or she need to be re-baptized? As long as that denomination baptized properly, in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, that baptism is still valid. It is just unfortunate that other denominations don't actually know what really goes on in baptism. Regardless of that, the act of baptism is still valid under the trinitarian condition. Now how about someone who is baptized Mormon? Does he or she need to be re-baptized? Again, a proper baptism is once and for all. Since Mormons deny essential doctrines such as the Trinity, a Mormon "baptism" is not a proper baptism. Therefore, those who are "baptized" in the Mormon church were never truly baptized to begin with. To receive proper baptism, one must be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Holy Trinity. 

In conclusion, God gives life to us when we are baptized. Baptism is how Christ come to us, and to cling to Baptism is to cling to Christ. Baptism should not be willfully rejected, because you may as well reject Christ if you do that. A "sinner's prayer" is not enough. To truly prove you have genuine faith, the sacraments are necessary. If you haven't already, go and be baptized, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! Go receive the forgiveness of sins that only Christ could offer! It's not too late! Suffer contrition, repent, and be baptized, so you may receive eternal life! I pray for every soul to know Christ and also be baptized. Father, if it be your will, let it be so. Amen.