Questions about Baptism

August 8, 2023

Dear Friends,

When Martin Luther compiled his questions and answers into the Small Catechism, he did not miss the mark: “How can water do such great things?” This is not a silly question. In fact, it’s a question that gets to the heart of the matter.

How can water work the forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and give eternal salvation?

Luther answers: “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.”

The water is a visible, material thing, to which God attaches promises by his Word.

It’s a bit like this: paper is just paper and not worth a whole lot. You can write on it or burn it or make it into an airplane. But, if it is stamped with those words “Federal Reserve Note” . . . “This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private”, now it has a promise attached to it. It’s not just plain paper any more, but it is currency.

Of course, God’s Word is different from the word of the US Federal Reserve. (Don’t get me started.) God’s Word can never be broken. And his promises are heavenly, spiritual promises. Baptism doesn’t wash dirt off your body or erase material debts (like a dollar could), but it washes away sin, and it cancels the record of debt that you owe on account of your guilt.

And that means that the question isn’t really about what water can or cannot do – it’s a question about what God’s Word says. And that’s how we should go about answering all kinds of other questions about Baptism. For instance – what role do you play in your Baptism? What if you never got baptized? What about getting baptized again? What about people who were baptized but don’t believe? In the weeks ahead, I’d like to take a look at God’s Word on these questions. It matters not just for making sense of Baptism, but also for making sense of the Christian faith all together.

Lots to discuss! Stay tuned for more!

God bless and keep you,

Pr. Buchs

COMING EVENTS: Elders’/Council – Thursday, August 10 @ 6 & 7pm