Congratulations on answering God's call to enter into the covenant of Baptism here at Advent Lutheran Church. Baptism is at the center of our lives as Christians and it is one of our greatest joys to come alongside, children, parents and adults in the journey of faith that Baptism begins.
Please take a few moments to fill out the form below so that we can maintain accurate records, prepare Baptismal certificates, worship bulletins, and keep you informed about the many opportunities to learn and grow through the ministries offered at Advent Lutheran Church as we live out the Baptismal promises together.
Please take a few moments to fill out the form below so that we can maintain accurate records, prepare Baptismal certificates, worship bulletins, and keep you informed about the many opportunities to learn and grow through the ministries offered at Advent Lutheran Church as we live out the Baptismal promises together.
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Martin Luther’s Small Catechism The Sacrament of Holy Baptism What is baptism? Baptism is not simply plain water. Instead, it is water used according to God's command and connected with God's word. What then is this word of God? Where our Lord Christ says in Matthew 28, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." What gifts or benefits does baptism grant? It brings about forgiveness of sins, redeems from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe it, as the words and promise of God declare. What are these words and promise of God? Where our Lord Christ says in Mark 16, "The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned." How can water do such great things? Clearly the water does not do it, but the word of God, which is with and alongside the water, and faith, which trusts this word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is plain water and not a baptism, but with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a grace-filled water of life and a "bath of the new birth in the Holy Spirit," as St. Paul says to Titus in chapter 3, "through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure." What then is the significance of such a baptism with water? It signifies that the old person in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily sorrow for sin and through repentance, and on the other hand that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. Where is this written? St. Paul says in Romans 6, "We were buried with Christ through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." |