Baptism Part 2
What does Baptism give or profit?
Answer - It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the
devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and
promises of God declare.
Which are such words and promises of God?
Answer - Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned.
Jesus gives us His promise – he that believes and is baptized shall be saved. This was the
message of those first disciples. On the day of Pentecost Peter’s message was
simple – “repent, be baptized, every one
of you, in the name of Jesus, for the remission of your sins.” (Acts 2:38)
God has promised us that all our sins are covered. What a relief, God has
promised us full forgiveness for all our sins. Paul reminds us, “Ye are all the children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.” (Galatians 3:26, 27) As we have been baptized we have received
both the benefits and the merits of Christ. By His suffering and death Jesus
has earned these blessings for us. In baptism, these blessings become our own.
Sin disturb my soul no longer;
I am baptized into Christ!
I have comfort even stronger;
Jesus’ cleansing sacrifice.
Should a guilty conscience seize me,
Since my Baptism did
release me
In a dear forgiving flood,
Sprinkling me with Jesus’ blood
God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It stanza two, Lutheran
Service Book, © 2008 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld ©WELS
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