The Small Catechism – part 197
Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
Scripture Text: Genesis 22:12
Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions
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From the Confessions: The Small Catechism, The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
“The Promise of Baptism”
What gifts or benefits does Baptism bring?
It brings about forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God declare.
What is this Word and promise of God?
It is the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ as recorded 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)
Pulling It Together: Obedient to God’s command, Abraham took his son up the mountain to sacrifice him to the Lord. But God spared the child’s life, and his parents' untold grief. There was another son led up a hill to be sacrificed. Yet this time, God did not stop the slaying. He spared Abraham’s son but did not spare his own Son. This sacrifice was not a witness to the love of a man for God, but the love of God for a world. And all those who have the faith of Abraham, a loving trust in God, and are baptized into the death of God’s Son receive forgiveness of sins, and are delivered from death and the devil. Faith in his death has provided undying salvation for all who believe. This is the word of God — a promise for you and all people.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your great love of sinners. Amen.
Click here for resources to learn the Ten Commandments.
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Author
Rev. Dr. Mark E. Ryman has served as Pastor for St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury, NC, since 2021. Previously, Pastor Ryman served congregations in North Carolina and Ohio, as well as a call to specialized ministry with Sola Publishing.
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