Lessons in the Lutheran Confessions

Scripture Text: Titus 2:11-15

Click for larger image

Index

Titus 2:11-15

From the Confessions: The Defense of the Augsburg Confession

Concerning Baptism 

As it is clear that God approves of the baptism of little children, the Anabaptists believe wickedly in condemning the baptism of these children. That God approves of the baptism of little children is shown by God giving the Holy Spirit to those who were baptized as children. For if this baptism is in vain, the Holy Spirit would be given to none, no one would be saved, and eventually there would be no Church. This reason, even taken alone, can sufficiently establish good and godly minds against the godless and fanatical opinions of the Anabaptists.

Pulling It Together

God gives authority to people to speak and act in his name through Holy Baptism. The pastor seems to be the one using the water, and if that were all the pastor did then that would be all there was to see. But because the pastor baptizes in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, there is something to believe too. We see the pastor but it is God who acts. It is a blessed thing that pastors do in baptism but be sure of this: it is really God who is at work through his ministers. God is the baptizer. The Holy Spirit is given in baptism because the Holy Spirit is the giver. Salvation comes through baptism because Christ the Savior is the baptizer. The Church is built and established because the Father of us all forgives and grants new life in his kingdom. This is the grace of God that we confess concerning baptism.

Prayer: I will bless you, O Lord, and forget none of your benefits. Amen.

The Sola Online Worship Resource (SOWeR) includes a limited selection of music for use in worship, drawing primarily upon texts and music in the public domain, along with biblical texts set to familiar tunes. SOWeR is a lectionary-based web resource for Scripture lessons, lectionary inserts, children's bulletins, devotionals, text studies, prayers, hymn-planning, and much more! Join the hundreds of congregations who have discovered how simple, flexible, and useful SOWeR is for worship planning and sermon preparation. This brochure will answer more questions about SOWeR. Call 1-888-887-9840 to order a yearly subscription. 


Share this post


Click Here For Content Archives