What is Holy
Baptism?
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water
included in God's command and combined with God's Word.
Which is that Word of God?
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." Matthew 28:19
"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, " All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." Matthew 28:16-20
What benefits does Baptism
give?
It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the
devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and
promises of God declare.
Which are these words and promises of God?
Christ our Lord says:
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not
believe will be condemned." Mark 16:16
"Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brethren, what shall we do?' And Peter said to them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him." Acts 2:37-39
"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name." Acts 22:16 (Ananias speaking to St. Paul at Paul's baptism.)
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:27
"Baptism, which corresponds to this [the Flood], now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him." 1 Peter 3:21-22
How can water do such great
things?
Certainly not just water, but the
Word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which
trusts this Word of God in the water. For without God's Word the water is plain
water and no Baptism. But with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving
water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit,
As St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three:
"He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying." Titus 3:508
"Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish." Ephesians 5:26-27
What does such baptizing
with water mean for daily life?
It indicates (means) that the Old Adam in us should by
daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires,
and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to lie before God in righteousness
and purity forever.
Where is this written?
St. Paul writes in Romans, chapter six:
"We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."
Romans 6:4
"In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ; 12 and you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead."
Colossians 2:11-12