The document provides an overview of the nature of Holy Baptism. It discusses that Baptism involves water combined with God's word as instituted by Christ. Baptism is meant for all people regardless of attributes and confers saving grace. Little children should be baptized when brought by those with authority as the kingdom of God belongs to such as these according to Jesus.

1. The Sacraments
1.The Nature of Holy Baptism:
Understanding how we come to faith…
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."

2. LSB 602 Them for this world’s strife.
1 The gifts Christ freely gives 3 The gifts of grace and peace
He gives to you and me From absolution flow; 6 All glory to the One
To be His Church, His bride, The pastor’s words are Who lavishes such love;
His chosen, saved and free! Christ’s The triune God in love
Saints blest with these rich For us to trust and know. Assures our life above.
gifts Forgiveness that we need His means of grace for us
Are children who proclaim Is granted to us there; Are gifts He loves to give;
That they were won by Christ The Lord of mercy sends All thanks and praise for His
And cling to His strong name. Us forth in His blest care. Great love by which we live!
2 The gifts flow from the font 4 The gifts are there each day
Where He calls us His own; The holy Word is read;
New life He gives that makes God’s children listen, hear,
Us His and His alone. Receive, and they are fed.
Here He forgives our sins Christ fills them with Himself,
With water and His Word; Blest words that give them
The triune God Himself life,
Gives pow’r to call Him Lord. Restoring and refreshing

3. Baptism: Graphically organize the nature of it.

4. PRAYER
•Water+Word
•Water+Spirit
•All Nations
•Children Come
•Teaching
P raise
R epentance
A ppreciation
Y ou
E veryone
R esolve

5. 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!

6. Water, 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

7.  • 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?
______________________________ Say Mean Matter
 SS: Water + Word
 M: Water + Spirit Key phrases Own words Answer the
 T: All Nations questions/
 W: Children Come Personal
 Th: Teaching application

8.  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

9. 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 zwhvperi
pathswmen: dia is used twice, “through baptism” and “through
the glory of the Father” denotes reason, channel, means by
which something happens

10.  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)

11.  Baptize means to apply water by bodies washed with pure water.
immersing, washing, pouring, and the  Note: To baptize with the Holy Spirit
like. (Matt. 3:11) means to "pour out" the
 Ezek. 36:25-27 Then I will sprinkle clean Spirit (Acts 1:5 and Acts 2:1718). "It is
water on you, and you will be clean; I will nothing else than a divine water, not that
cleanse you from all your filthiness and the water in itself is nobler than other
from all your idols. Moreover, I will give water but that God's Word and
you a new heart and put a new spirit within commandment are added to it" (Large
you; and I will remove the heart of stone Catechism IV, 14).
from your flesh and give you a heart of  God Himself instituted Baptism, for our
flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and Lord Jesus Christ commanded His
cause you to walk in My statutes, and you church to baptize all nations.
will be careful to observe My ordinances.
 Matt. 28:19-20 Go and make disciples of
 Mark 7:4 When they [the Pharisees] come all nations, baptizing them in the name of
from the marketplace they do not eat unless the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
they wash. And they observe many other Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything
traditions, such as the washing [baptizing] I have commanded you.
of cups, pitchers, and kettles.
 In Baptism, God, the Holy Trinity,
 Heb. 10:22 Let us draw near to God with a receives me into communion or fellowship
sincere heart in full assurance of faith, with Himself.
having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us
 •
from a guilty conscience and having our

12.  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).

13.  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).

14.  Normally the called ministers of Christ are to before he was baptized (Acts 8:26-39). The
baptize, but in cases of emergency and when jailer was instructed before he was baptized
no pastor is available, any Christian should (Acts 16:25-33).
baptize.  •
 1 Cor. 4:1 Let a man so consider us, as servants  Pray: Remember, O Lord, all who in heathen
of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God lands are under instruction for Holy
(NKJV). Baptism. Have mercy upon them and
 Note: For a short form of Baptism in cases of confirm them in the faith. Remove all the
emergency, see the end of this section. reamins of idolatry and superstition from
 "All nations" are to be baptized, that is, all their hearts, that being devoted to Your law,
people, young and old. Your precepts, Your fear, Your truths, and
 A.Those who can receive instruction are to be Your commandments, they may grow to a
baptized after they have been instructed in firm knowledge of the Word in which they
the main articles of the Christian faith. have been instructed. And may they be
 Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, "Repent and be found worthy to become a dwelling of the
baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Holy Spirit, by the washing of regeneration
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you for the forgiveness of their sins, through
will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Basil of
promise is for you and your children and for all Caesarea, c. 330-79)
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

15.  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.

16.  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)

17.  “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.

18.  “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?

19.  B. Little children should be baptized when they children to Him and said, "Let the little children
are brought to Baptism by those who have come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the
authority over them. kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you
 Mark 10:13-15 People were bringing little children the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom
to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples of God like a little child, will never enter it.”
rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was  •
indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children  Pray: We beg you, O God of truth, on behalf of
come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Your servants and pray that You would count
kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you them worthy of the divine mystery and of Your
the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom indescribable regeneration. For to You, O loving
of God like a little child will never enter it." God, we offered them. To You we devote them:
 Babies are to be baptized because Grant that every baptized person may live in this
 A. they are included in the words "all nations"; divine regeneration, to the end that they may no
 Matt. 28:19 Go and make disciples of all nations, longer be led by any bad and evil one, but
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the worship You continually and observe Your
Son and of the Holy Spirit. ordinances as Your only-begotten Word guides
 Acts 2:38-39 Repent and be baptized, every one of them. For through Christ to You is the glory and
you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness the strength of the Holy Spirit both now and to all
of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the the ages of the ages. Amen. (Serapion of
Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your Thumuis, d. after 360).
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

20.  Christ 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.

21.  C. as sinners, babies need what Baptism offers;  Eph. 4:16 From Him the whole body, joined and
 John 3:5-6 No one can enter the kingdom of God held together by every supporting ligament,
unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh grows and builds itself up in love, as each part
gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to does its work.
spirit.  •
 Eph. 2:3 Like the rest, we were by nature objects  Pray: Heavenly Father, even the smallest
of wrath. infants recognize their parents and ry out for
 D. babies also are able to have faith. their care. Through Holy Baptism, You have
 Matt. 18:6 If anyone causes one of these little opened Your kingdom to people of all ages.
ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better Lead us to treasure our Baptism the way an
for him to have a large millstone hung around his infant treasure the gentle embraces of its
neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. parents. Grant us a lifelong faith springing
 Bible narrative: John the Baptist was "filled with from Your command and nurtured by the
the Holy Spirit even from birth" (Luke 1:15), and sincere milk of Your Word, through Jesus
even before birth (1:41-44). Christ, our Lord. Amen. (EE)
 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."

22.  Even though all the gifts of Grace through
Faith are given in Baptism as a singular
event, it has continual benefits
 Our 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!

23.  "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

24.  "PRAY ON"
from « American Negro Songs »
by J. W. Work, 1940
 In the river of Jordan John baptized
How I long to be baptized
In the river of Jordan John baptized
Unto the dying Lamb
 Pray on! Pray on!
Pray on! You mourning souls
Pray on! Pray on
Unto the dying Lamb
 We baptize all that come by faith
How I long to be baptized
We baptize all that come by faith
Unto the dying Lamb
 Here’s another one come to be baptized
How I long to be baptized
Here’s another one come to be baptized
Unto the dying Lamb

25. First: Baptism is not just plain water, but it is main articles of the Christian faith. B. Little
the water included in God's command and children should be baptized when they are
combined with God's word. brought to Baptism by those who have
Baptize means to apply water by immersing, authority over them.
washing, pouring, and the like. Babies are to be baptized because
"It is nothing else than a divine water, not that A. they are included in the words "all
the water in itself is nobler than other water nations";
but that God's Word and commandment are B. Jesus especially invites little children to
added to it" (Large Cat. IV, 14). come to Him;
God Himself instituted Baptism, for our Lord C. as sinners, babies need what Baptism
Jesus Christ commanded His church to offers;
baptize all nations. D. babies also are able to have faith.
In Baptism, God, the Holy Trinity, receives Sponsors witness that those who receive this
me into communion or fellowship with sacrament have been properly baptized. They
Himself. • also pray for them and in the case of children,
Normally the called ministers of Christ are to help with their Christian upbringing,
baptize, but in cases of emergency and when especially if they should lose their parents.
no pastor is available, any Christian should Only those of the same confession of faith
baptize. should be sponsors.
"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

26.  The Blessing of
Baptism