The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is a special gift from God which is reverenced by the saints here at Hope Lutheran Church. God teaches us clearly and explicitly that, just as Noah's Ark saved Noah and his family from the raging waters of the flood, so "Baptism now saves you" (1 Peter 3:21). Accordingly, as the Bible teaches, so Baptism is one of those means of grace through which we are brought into saving faith in Christ Jesus our Savior.
Who Instituted Holy Baptism?
Jesus Himself instituted the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Jesus commands Baptism and tells us that Baptism is water used together with the Word of God (Matt 28:19-20). Because of this, we believe that Baptism is one of the miraculous means of grace (along with God's Word and the Lord's Supper) through which God creates and/or strengthens the gift of faith in a person’s heart (see Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Gal 3:26-27; Rom 6:1-4; Col 2:11-12; 1 Cor 12:13). Although we do not claim to understand fully how this happens, we believe that when a person (infant or adult) is baptized, God creates faith in that person's heart.
Is Baptism ABSOLUTELY necessary for salvation?
No— Here at Hope Lutheran, and in the LC–MS, we do not teach that Baptism is ABSOLUTELY necessary for salvation. The thief on the cross was saved (apparently without Baptism), as were all true believers in the Old Testament era. Mark 16:16 implies that it is not the absence of Baptism that condemns a person but the absence of faith. It is true that there are other ways of coming to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit (reading or hearing the Word of God). Still, we dare not despise or willfully neglect Baptism since it is explicitly commanded by God and has His precious promises attached to it. It is not a mere "ritual" or "symbol," but a powerful means of grace by which God grants faith and the forgiveness of sins.
The sainted Rev. Dr. A.L. Barry had this to say about the blessed Sacrament of Holy Baptism:
What's so special about a handful of simple water?
Nothing, until God connects His Word to it! In Baptism, that is exactly what God is doing. He combines His life-creating and life-giving Word with the waters of Holy Baptism, and thereby we are born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:5). Our Lord commands Baptism. It is not optional, nor is it simply a nice "extra." God's Word takes on many forms, according to His good and gracious will. The Word is preached, taught, and proclaimed. It is read, studied and meditated on. It is shared by Christians, with non-Christian and fellow believer, alike. And it is that Word of God, His promise, that makes Baptism what it is.
God Himself is present as His name is joined to the water, with all His power and all His blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation. Christ consecrates the water of Baptism with His Word, so as we in Baptism stand with Christ in the water, the Father calls us His beloved children, the Holy Spirit is given to us, and heaven is opened to us. Those who receive Baptism after they have been brought to faith by the preaching or teaching of the Word also receive all the blessings God has attached to Baptism.
In and through Baptism, God cleanses us from all of our sins, snatches us from the power of Satan, and gives us everlasting life. It is all God's doing as He gives us His blessing. It is His promise. In Baptism, our Triune God imparts to each of us personally the gifts the Lord Jesus Christ won for the world through His life, suffering, death, and resurrection. Please see especially Gal. 3:27; Col. 1:13-14; 1 Peter 3:21; Titus 3:5-7 and 1 Cor. 6:11.
What does Baptism have to do with our daily life?
Everything! Our entire life is a life lived trusting in the promises of God, given to us in and through Holy Baptism. We are constantly returning to Baptism. In moments of temptation and suffering in our lives, when all seems to be crashing down on us, and in particular in those moments when our sin and the guilt of those sins haunt us, we are able, as Luther says, to "Pull out our Baptism and wave it under the devil's nose and say, 'I am baptized . . . I have God's bath. It is Christ's own blood.' It is a bath blessed and mixed with the blood of Christ." [2] We can't return to the cross of Christ, nor should we attempt to imagine ourselves back there. No, we turn instead to the "here and now" reality of God's work in our lives. We return to our Baptism. For it was there and then that God buried us with Christ and raised us with Him to a new life.
Why are infants and young children baptized?
They are baptized for the same reason adults are baptized— because of the command and promise of God. What ispromised in Baptism is given to all who receive it; therefore, infants and young children also have the promise of God. They,too, are made children of God. They, too, are included in the words “all nations”(Matt.28:19). Jesus specifically invites littlechildren to come to Him (Luke 18:15–17). But most important, as sinners,infants need what Baptism gives. By His word,God created all that is seen and unseen. By His word,our Lord Christ called a dead man from the tomb (John 11:43–44). The unborn child, John the Baptist, leaped inhis mother’s womb when he heard the word of God (Luke1:41–44). Why is there any doubt that in and through the Word and the promise of Baptism,God works a similar gift of faith in the infant? If we misunderstand Baptism to be our work,then we will always cast doubt on it. When we recognize that itis not our work ,but God’s gracious promise and work, we realize that infants are to be baptized and receive the treasures offered in and through Baptism. Sadly, there are individuals and church bodies that deny Baptism to young children and infants. They do not believe that these little ones need what Holy Baptism gives.They do not believe what the Bible teaches so clearly, namely, that God saves us through Baptism. As a result of these false teachings, they deny both to themselves and to others the power ,blessing and comfort of Holy Baptism. That is tragic, for it is a most serious offense against God to deny what He plainly declares inHis Word: “The promise is for you and your children”(Acts2:39) and “Baptism now saves you”(1 Peter 3:21).
from "What About the Holy Baptism?" by A.L. Barry
Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good 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 having been subjected to him" (1 Peter 3:18-22)
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin (Romans 6:3-6)
What is 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).
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 in the last chapter of Mark: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16).
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 3:5ó8).
What does such baptizing with water indicate?
It indicates 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 live 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).
— from Luther's Small Catechism
