Holy Baptism is one of the means by which God gives the salvation Christ has won for sinners. In Baptism, water is joined to Christ’s command and promise, and the person is baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Lutherans therefore speak of Baptism primarily as God’s work toward us. Baptism is much more than a public testimony of a person’s faith or a symbolic declaration that someone has decided to follow Jesus, as it is often understood in some Baptist and other evangelical Protestant traditions. Christ instituted Baptism and attached His Word and promises to it.
What Does God Give in Baptism?
Scripture speaks very directly about what God gives through Baptism. Baptism is connected with the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), salvation (1 Peter 3:21), new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), and union with Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4).
For this reason, Lutherans confess that Baptism is a means of grace. Through His Word joined to the water, God acts toward the person being baptized and gives what He promises.
The power of Baptism does not come from the water by itself, from the holiness of the pastor, or from the sincerity or strength of the person being baptized. Its power comes from God’s Word joined to the water, and its certainty rests upon Christ’s institution and promise.
Why Do Lutherans Baptize Infants?
We baptize infants because Christ commands His Church to make disciples of all nations by baptizing and teaching them (Matthew 28:19–20), and Scripture nowhere excludes children from this gift.
Infants and children, in fact, share humanity’s need for salvation. Scripture teaches that human beings are sinful from conception (Psalm 51:5), and the promise of forgiveness and Baptism is explicitly spoken of as being “for you and for your children” (Acts 2:38–39).
Baptism does not depend upon a person first reaching a particular age, level of intellectual understanding, or ability to make a decision for Christ. Faith itself is God’s gift. God is able to create and sustain faith even in those who cannot explain that faith intellectually.
For that reason, Christian parents bring their children to Baptism trusting Christ’s command and promise rather than waiting until the child is old enough to make Baptism his or her own work.
Baptism and Faith
Faith does not make Baptism effective. God’s Word and promise make Baptism what it is. Faith receives and trusts the gift God gives.
Christ says, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). The Christian trusts the promise attached to Baptism because the promise comes from Christ Himself.
Baptism should therefore never be separated from the continuing life of faith. Jesus commands His Church both to baptize and to teach. A baptized Christian is continually brought to God’s Word, worship, prayer, catechesis, and the life of Christ’s Church.
Living in Your Baptism
Baptism is a one-time event in the Christian’s life, but the baptized Christian continues to live from the Baptism God has given. Scripture teaches that those baptized into Christ have been joined to His death and resurrection so that they may “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).
The Christian life is therefore a daily return to the promises of Baptism through repentance and faith. We confess our sins, receive Christ’s forgiveness, resist the old sinful nature, and live as those upon whom God has placed His name.
Parents who bring a child to Baptism undertake the vocation of bringing that child regularly to Christ’s Word and raising him or her within the life of the Church. The congregation shares in that care through pastors, teachers, sponsors, fellow Christians, worship, and catechesis.
If you are considering Baptism for yourself or your child, the pastor would be glad to speak with you about Baptism, preparation, sponsors, and the continuing Christian life that follows it.
