Holy Baptism as taught by Luther's Small Catechism - Trinity Lutheran Church, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

	Trinity Lutheran Church RR#3, 2027 Niagara Stone Road Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario L0S 1J0 (905) 468-2611 Pastor: Rev. Larry Ritter rev.lritter@trinitynotl.ca Divine Service: Sunday, 10 AM
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What We Believe The Divine Service The Bible The Gospel The Ten Commandments The Creed The Lord's Prayer Baptism Confession The Lord's Supper Issues, Etc. Links	+ The Sacrament of Holy Baptism + As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household. First: 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). Second: 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). Third: 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 3:5-8). Fourth: 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 Martin Luther's Small Catechism For more information about Holy Baptism, please see the following resources: + What about Holy Baptism? (by Dr. A. L. Barry) + Our True Identity (by Rev. Herbert C. Mueller Jr.) + I am Baptized: What Does This Mean? (by Rev. John T. Pless) + Baptism in the New Testament (by Rev. Dr. Andrew Das) + Baptism - Is It a Work of God or a Work of Man? (Part 1) + Baptism - Is It a Work of God or a Work of Man? (Part 2) + In Defense of Infant Baptism (by Rev. Don Matzat) + Infant Baptism (by Rev. Dr. Andrew Das) + Baptism and Faith—Just Whose Work Is It? (by Dr. Richard Shuta) + Infant Baptism in Early Church History (by Rev. Dennis Kastens) + Begone Satan! (LCMS Commission on Worship) + I Am Baptized into Christ (LCMS Commission on Worship) + We Are Marked by God (LCMS Commission on Worship) + Baptized and Named (LCMS Commission on Worship) + The Baptism of Jesus (LCMS Commission on Worship) + A Robe and a Light (LCMS Commission on Worship) + The Holy Flood of Baptism (LCMS Commission on Worship) + What's in a Name? (LCMS Commission on Worship) + The Joy of Being Dependent on God (LCMS Commission on Worship) + Frequently Asked Questions: Baptism

+ The Sacrament of Holy Baptism +

As the head of the family should teach them in a simple way to his household.

First: 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).

Second: 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).

Third: 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 3:5-8).

Fourth: 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 Martin Luther's Small Catechism