1. The Sacraments
2. The Blessings of Baptism
Understanding how we come to faith…
Memorization Verses:
Baptism 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.
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].

2.  LSB 594 Now that to the font I've traveled,
 1 God's own child, I gladly say it: All your might has come unraveled,
I am baptized into Christ! And, against your tyranny,
He, because I could not pay it, God, my Lord, unites with me!
Gave my full redemption price.  4 Death, you cannot end my gladness:
Do I need earth's treasures many? I am baptized into Christ!
I have one worth more than any When I die, I leave all sadness
That brought me salvation free To inherit paradise!
Lasting to eternity! Though I lie in dust and ashes
 2 Sin, disturb my soul no longer: Faith's assurance brightly flashes:
I am baptized into Christ! Baptism has the strength divine
I have comfort even stronger: To make life immortal mine.
Jesus' cleansing sacrifice.  5 There is nothing worth comparing
Should a guilty conscience seize me To this lifelong comfort sure!
Since my Baptism did release me Open-eyed my grave is staring:
In a dear forgiving flood, Even there I'll sleep secure.
Sprinkling me with Jesus' blood! Though my flesh awaits its raising,
 3 Satan, hear this proclamation: Still my soul continues praising:
I am baptized into Christ! I am baptized into Christ;
Drop your ugly accusation, I'm a child of paradise!
I am not so soon enticed.

3. Baptism: Personal Reflection
We are to remember to use the blessings of our baptism daily.
Luther wrote, “A truly Christian life is nothing else than a daily baptism once begun
and ever to be continued.” Baptism is a one time act with continuing benefits.
1. Write about the day of your • Romans 6:3-4 Paul wrote, “Know
baptism. What you’ve been told ye not that so many of us as were
/ what you remember, and the baptized into Jesus Christ were
gifts and promises given. baptized into His death? Therefore
2. Write about living your baptism we were buried with sin by baptism
daily. HOW you live out these into death that like as Christ was
blessings w/the Spirit. raised up from the dead by the
• Tip: Bring your thoughts alive in glory of the Father, even so we also
the style of a personal narrative should walk in newness of life.”
with specific details, figurative
language, and vivid imagery.

4. PRAYER
• blessings
• forgiveness and
rescue
• Christ's grace
• belief + faith
• truth + power
P raise
R epentance
A ppreciation
Y ou
E veryone
R esolve

5.  1 The man is ever blest
Who shuns the sinners' ways,
Among their counsels never stands,
Nor takes the scorners' place.
 2 But makes the Law of God
His study and delight
Amid the labors of the day
And watches of the night.
 3 He like a tree shall thrive,
With waters near the root;
Fresh as the leaf his name shall live,
His works are heav'nly fruit.

6.  Tragically, some people believe they
are going to heaven when they die
just because a few drops of water
were sprinkled over their heads a
few weeks after their birth. They
have no personal faith, have never
made a personal decision, and are
banking on a hollow ceremony to
save them. How absurd.
Indeed, baptism is a vow, a sacred
vow of the believer to follow Christ.
Just as a wedding celebrates the
fusion of two hearts, baptism
celebrates the union of sinner with
Savior.
 ~Max Lucado

7.  • What benefits does Baptism give?
 •Which are these words and promises of God?
 •What great and precious things are given in baptism?
 •If Christ has already won forgiveness and salvation for
us and gives us all this by grace alone, why do we still need
baptism?
 •To whom does Baptism give all these blessings?
 •It is possible for an unbaptized person to be saved?
 •Why are we not to seek a "baptism with the Holy Spirit" in addition to the
Sacrament of Holy Baptism? Say Mean Matter
 ______________________________
 SS: Blessings Key phrases Own words Answer the
 M: Forgiveness and rescue questions/
 T: Christ’s grace Personal
 W: Belief + faith application
 Th: truth + power

8.  There are 4 basic truths concerning Baptism:
1. Faith is a gift given by the whole working of
the Trinity through the Cross TO THE
CHURCH.
2. Baptism is meant for all people, regardless of
ethnicity, gender, age, or mental capacity as
THE PLACE in which God PROMISES
HIS PRESENCE.
3. Baptism confers saving grace as an
objective truth by His word, and is the
proper means and reality by which the
Elect live all their days.
4. Baptism is the dying to sin and rising in
Christ; a spiritual and physical truth that
creates a new heart to worship

9.  Baptism works forgiveness of sins, in You only do I trust; never let me be
rescues from death and the devil, and ashamed. Amen. (Luther)
gives eternal salvation to all who
believe this, as the words and promises
of God declare.
 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].
 •
 Pray: O Lord, I am Your sin; You are
my righteousness. Therefore I
triumph and am secure; for my sin
cannot overpower Your righteousness,
nor can Your righteousness let me be
or remain a sinner. Blessed Lord God
of mine my Mercy and my Redeemer,

10.  What images are found in Scripture
concerning the blessings of Baptism?
1. PUTTING ON Christ and His Merits
(Gal. 3:26)
1. Enduo: To sink into a garment
2. Christ is clothed in righteousness BY his
wounds.
2. Baptism SAVES (1 Peter 3:21)
1. Sozo: To make whole. To rescue from
destruction and danger. To Heal
3. Baptism gives a GOOD CONSCIENCE
(1 Peter 3:21)
1. Suneidesis: Awareness of morality
2. Strength to endure suffering (context)
4. Baptism is BIRTH into the Spirit (John
3:5)
1. Gennao: Signifies not the individual,
but the father who has authority

11.  What images are found in Scripture concerning
the blessings of Baptism?
5. Baptism CLEANS, RESTORES and MAKES
HOLY (Eph. 5:26)
1. Hagiazo: To remove (make hallow) as to purify
and set apart
2. Katharizo: To make something clean by
complete cleansing (related to hilasterion,
expiation, see Mark 1:23) and restoring
relationship!
3. Loutron: To bathe and prepare for burial. Think
Jesus or Samurai 
6. Baptism REMOVES SIN (Acts 22:16)
1. Apolouo: To separate out the dirt during a
washing
7. Baptism is DEATH AS VICTORY (Rom. 6:4)
1. Sunthapto: United and buried
2. Kainotes: Newness of life (unused) that is
retrospective (remembering the former)
3. Contrast with the neos man in Christ

12.  A. works forgiveness of sins;  1 Peter 3:21 This water [of Noah's flood]
 Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized, every symbolizes baptism that now saves you
one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for also. It saves you by the resurrection of
the forgiveness of your sins. Jesus Christ.
 Acts 22:16 Get up, be baptized and wash  Titus 3:5 He saved us through the washing
your sins away. of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
 B. rescues from death and the devil;  •
 Rom. 6:3, 5 Don't you know that all of us  Pray: Dear Lord Christ, even if I do not
who were baptized into Christ Jesus were fulfill Your Law, and still have sin, and
baptized into His death? ... If we have been feel afraid of death and hell, I still know
united with Him like this in His death, we from the Gospel that all Your merits are
will certainly also be united with Him in His mine by faith. I am sure of this, for You
resurrection. would not deceive me. You will surely
 Gal. 3:27 All of you who were baptized into keep Your promise. As a pledge of this I
Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. have received Baptism and rely on it.
 Col. 1:13-14 He has rescued us from the Since You, dear Lord, are mine, I will
dominion of darkness and brought us into gladly die, dear Father if it pleases You.
the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom Death cannot harm me, for it is
we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. swallowed up in victory. Praise be to
(Compare Col. 2:11-12.) You, Lord God, for You have given us the
 C. gives eternal salvation. victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
 Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is Amen. (Luther)
baptized will be saved.

13.  Along with the three “Baptism Misfits”
described last week, another question
seems to arise (two versions):
 If Christ already completed the work on
the Cross…Why should Baptism be so
important? Doesn’t it distract from
Christ?
 If we make Baptism so IMPORTANT,
does it distract us from Christ?
 Implicit indictments from both
questions:
 Baptism is a good work that breaks the
first commandment
 Baptism gets in the way of faith alone if
not relegated to a mere
ordinance/commitment.

14.  Does Baptism diminish Christ’s work?
 Christ’s ministry is INAUGURATED through
Baptism (an event which has major spiritual and
miraculous happenings)
 Therefore, we are justified in recognizing Baptism
through Christ’s very participation in it for our sins,
as He draws us to the font to participate in that
baptized life.
 Does Baptism break the First Commandment
(idolotry)?
 Wherever you see the word baptism, it is appropriate
to substitute for “the word of God unto salvation”
 Therefore, baptism is no more idolatry than the high
view of scripture we have as the means of grace to
bring forgiveness and salvation
 Is Baptism a good work that you do?
 Did you birth yourself? Do you make food and
clothing ex nihilo? Did you decide to do anything
that wasn’t already decreed by God?
 So also, Baptism is a gift given to the Church, it is
the physical manifestation of the very everlasting
waters which slake and save.

15.  Christ has indeed won full forgiveness before the world that You are merciful
and salvation for the whole human to me and You help me. This I have
race with His perfect life, suffering, received in Baptism, that You and
death, and resurrection. He distributes none other shall be my Lord and God.
this same forgiveness in Baptism. Amen. (Luther).
(Baptism is a means of grace.)
 1 Cor. 6:11 You were washed, you were
sanctified, you were justified in the name
of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit
of our God.
 Titus 3:5-7 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. •
 Pray: I thank, praise, and glorify You,
my Lord Christ, with heart and voice

16.  Three logical categories of
“unbaptized christians” (not a
scriptural idea, btw)
 A child eligible to receive
Baptism, but is unable to for
extraneous reasons (early death,
drought, etc.)
 Someone going through a
catechetical process who dies
before the official date (typical in
1st and 2nd c. persecution)
 Someone who rejects the need
for baptism through some form of
false teaching

17.  To the Child:
 It is God’s will and decree to glorify
himself in the salvation of His
church.
 Children are made members through
the same means as anyone else
(Water and the Word)
 Those unable to have the water, have
ALL the benefits of the Word (where
the word has gone out)
 To the Adult convert:
 Your faith through the hearing and
learning of the word brought all the
benefits of Christ at once
 To the unbaptized Christian
 Why are you rejecting God’s clear
gift in baptism? Is it through false
teaching?

18.  Baptism gives these blessings to all who  Pray: Dear God, I know that even when
believe God's saving promises. I have done my best I am still to blame.
 Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is But I am comforted, because You have
baptized will be saved, but whoever does died for me and sprinkled me with the
not believe will be condemned. blood from Your holy wounds. I am
surely baptised in You and have heard
 It is only unbelief that condemns. Faith
the word through which You have called
cannot exist in the heart of a person who
me, commanded me to believe, and
despises and rejects Baptism against
assured me of grace and life. With these
better knowledge. But those who believe
blessings I will gladly go ahead, not in
the Gospel, yet die before they have
anxious and hesitating doubts and fears,
opportunity to be baptized are not
which ask, “Who knows what judgment
condemned.
of God in heaven will hold against me?”
 Mark 16:16 Whoever does not believe For I now live in the assurance of the
will be condemned. gracious decree which God has given
 Bible narratives: The Pharisees and experts from heaven against the curse of the law,
in the Law in unbelief rejected John's “He who believes in the Son of Man has
baptism (Luke 7:30). The thief on the cross eternal life.” Amen. (Luther).
was saved without Baptism (Luke 23:39-
43).
 •

19.  If you have been water baptized, but
have yet to be baptized by the Spirit,
you have yet to receive the FULL
blessings of God!?!
 The work of Baptism is a one time
event with continuing benefits (Gal.
3:26)
 We do GROW in faith, and have
gifts according to the grace given
(Roman 12:6)
 The Spirit has come with
DIFFERENT gifts throughout
history (notably to the Apostles and
first gen Christians as prophecy
fulfillment), but not according to any
greater measure of “blessing” in the
one body of Christ (Romans 12)

20.  If I sin too much, or fall away,
should I be re-baptized to REALLY
commit my life to Christ this time?
 Thinking of Baptism as the work of
man is thinking Peter can walk on
water by looking down at his feet.
 Christ is the one who washes you.
This is NOT a failure, even if we
have jumped out of the boat for a
time.
 Even if someone never comes back
to the boat, it is not Baptism that has
failed, but the judgemet of God being
enacted on a sinner.
 If you want to get wet, understand
you are remembering your birthday,
not being born a third time!

21.  Beyond sacramental Baptism we are to seek "Spirit baptism," but between the
no other "baptism" because preparatory mission and baptism of John the
 A. there is no other God-given Baptism today Baptist and the full, permanent mission and
beside the Sacrament of Holy Baptism; Baptism of Jesus Christ. While John's
 Eph. 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism. baptism also gave the forgiveness of sins, it
 Note: The "instruction about baptisms" was different in that it pointed forward to the
(Heb. 6:2) does not mean that there are redemptive work of the Savior.
several Christian baptisms, but that the one  C. the special signs granted by the Holy
true Baptism must be clearly distinguished Spirit were not another "baptism," but they
from the many religious washings which were proved the truth and power of the apostles'
common in the ancient world (see for instance preaching.
Mark 7:4).  Acts 19:6 When Paul placed his hands on them,
 B. the sacrament is not a water-only or a the Holy Spirit came on them and they spoke in
Spirit-only baptism, but a water-and-Spirit tongues and prophesied.
Baptism  2 Cor. 12:12 The things that mark an apostle-
 John 3:5 No one can enter the kingdom of God signs, wonders and miracles-were done among
unless he is born of water and the Spirit. you with great perseverance.
 Titus 3:5 He saved us through the washing of  •
rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
 Note: Matt. 3:11 speaks of baptizing "with
water" and "with the Holy Spirit and with
fire." The difference here is not between
sacramental Baptism and some sort of

22.  Pray: Help me, O God, help me that in joys, that arise from the happiness of
true faith I may securely hold the great that mysterious union between You and
and saving treasures which You have every pious soul? O, purge away my
given me through Baptism! Help me to dross, purify all my affections, correct
do this through Your Holy Spirit, whom my will, enlighten my understanding,
You have poured out abundantly in still my inordinate passions. Then come,
Baptism. Help me to nevermore lose the Lord Jesus, come and dwell with me!
forgiveness of sins and life eternal which My soul longs for You, and is impatient
You have given me! Amen. (Zorn) that her divine guest should make His
 O Lord God, who has made u worthy to entry. Clothe her, O Lord, with the
receive forgiveness of sins through the wedding garment. Then lead her to the
washing of regeneration of the Holy marriage of the Lamb, that she may sit
Spirit, send us Your grace, that we may down with You in Your heavenly palaces,
serve You according to Your will. For and sing eternal hallelujahs, to You, O
Yours is the glory, to the Father and the Father; You, O Son; and You, O Holy
Son, with the Holy Spirit in the holy Spirit; one God blessed forever. Amen.
church, both now and forever . Amen. (Johann Gerhard, 1582-1637).
(Hippolytus of Rome, c. 170-236)
 O holy and immaculate Jesus, what
tongue is able to speak those inward

23.  Therefore state it most simply thus,
that the power, work, profit, fruit, and
end of Baptism is this, namely to save.
For no one is baptized in order that he
may become a prince, but as the words
declare, that he be saved. But to be
saved, we know, is nothing else than to
be delivered from sin, death, and the
devil, and to enter into the kingdom of
Christ, and to live with Him forever.
Here you see again how highly and
precious we should esteem Baptism,
because in it we, obtain such an
unspeakable treasure.

24.  LSB 922
1. "Go, my children, with my blessing, never alone.
Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are my own.
In my love's baptismal river,
I have made you mine forever.
Go, my children, with my blessing, you are my own.

25. Baptism works forgiveness of sins, Baptism gives these blessings to all
rescues from death and the devil, and who believe God's saving promises.
gives eternal salvation to all who It is only unbelief that condemns. Faith
believe this, as the words and promises cannot exist in the heart of a person
of God declare. who despises and rejects Baptism
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter against better knowledge. But those
of Mark: "Whoever believes and is who believe the Gospel, yet die before
baptized will be saved, but whoever they have opportunity to be baptized
does not believe will be condemned” are not condemned.
A. works forgiveness of sins; Beyond sacramental Baptism we are to
B. rescues from death and the devil; seek no other "baptism" because
C. gives eternal salvation. A. there is no other God-given Baptism
Christ has indeed won full forgiveness today beside the Sacrament of Holy
and salvation for the whole human race Baptism; and power of the apostles'
with His perfect life, suffering, death, preaching. Acts
and resurrection. He distributes this
same forgiveness in Baptism. (Baptism
is a means of grace.)

26.  The Power of
Baptism