The Small Catechism – part 205

The Small Catechism – part 205

Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Mark 1:8

Series: Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Today’s Scripture Jigsaw

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From the Confessions: The Small Catechism, The Sacrament of Holy Baptism

"The Daily Purpose of Baptism"

What is the significance of baptizing with water?

It signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil desires, should be drowned by daily repentance and sorrow for sin, and be put to death, and that the new person should come forth every day and rise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

Saint Paul says in Romans: “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.” (Romans 6:4)

Pulling It Together: Paul remarked how thankful he was that he personally baptized only a few, so that personality cults could not rise up around him (1 Corinthians 1:14–15). I used to think it was Pastor Chu who baptized me at St. Luke’s back in 1955, but then I read his obituary and discovered he was pastor there from 1960 until 1966. So, who was it who baptized me?

It was God — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit — who baptized me, no matter who the vicar was. God used a pastor, who vicariously poured water over me while proclaiming the words of promise. But it was God, through Word and Sacrament, who engulfed me into the life of Christ so that a new person would come forth in that infant life, and indeed, in all the days that lay ahead of him.

Prayer: Keep my old nature under the water, Lord, so that I may live in your righteousness. Amen.

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