Baptism

Baptism is the combination of water and God's Word. In Baptism the pastor pours water over the candidate's head and says, "I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." It seems ordinary, yet because of God's command and promise  it is extraordinary. Saint Paul says, "As many of you as were been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27) Baptism goes hand in hand with faith in Christ. Faith is a gift from God as is Baptism. When we trust in our Baptism, we trust in what God has done for us through Jesus and that he chooses to give us the benefits of Jesus' death through his work of Baptism. 
Baptism is the entrance into the Christian Church. The Bible calls Baptism a new birth (John 3:3, 5; Titus 3:5-6). As a newborn child needs to be clothed, fed, and cared for, so does a baptized child of God need to be cared for with God's Word and Sacraments. 

Interested in Baptism?
Trinity Lutheran is happy to baptize those who have not been baptized, both children and adults. The pastor will take adults and older children through instruction in the basics of the Christian faith before Baptism. The pastor also requests to speak with the parents of infants and young children before they are baptized to explain what Baptism means. Those who are baptized at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church become members of the congregation and are under the spiritual care of the congregation's pastor. 
Read below to learn more about Baptism from Luther's Small Catechism. 

As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

What is Baptism

Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's word. 
Which is that word of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

How can water do such great things?

Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God's word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus, chapter three:
"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. This is a trustworthy saying." (Titus 3:5-8)

What benefits does Baptism give?

It 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.
Which are these words and promises of God?
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)

What does such baptizing with water indicate?

It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Where is this written?
St. Paul writes in Romans chapter six: "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:4)
"Imagine there was a doctor somewhere who understood the art of saving people from death or, even though they died, could restore them quickly to life so that they would afterward live forever. Oh, how the world would pour in money like snow and rain. No one could find access to him because of the throng of the rich! But here in Baptism there is freely brought to everyone's door such a treasure and medicine that it utterly destroys death and preserves all people alive."
​~Martin Luther, Large Catechism Part IV.

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