Today's Reading: The Small Catechism: Baptism

Daily Lectionary: 1 Samuel 15:10-35; Acts 24:24-25:12

[Baptism] works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe. . . (The Small Catechism: Baptism, pt. 2)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. You probably have Christian friends who belong to a church that doesn't baptize infants. While these fellow Christians have much in common with us, like a high regard for Scripture and the belief that we are saved by grace, they are very far from us and from the historic teaching of the Church, and indeed, from Scripture itself on the matter of the Sacraments. What's more, these differences can get pretty heated. Those who deny God's gift of Baptism to little children may question whether your Baptism really counts, if you were baptized as a child. They may even try and tell you that you need to be baptized for real. It comes to down to a question of what Baptism is and does. Is Baptism my promise to God, or God's promise to me? If Baptism is some kind of law, or something I must do for God, then we should wait until a child is old enough to understand what he or she is doing. But if Holy Baptism is of the Gospel, then it is a gift from God and we dare not withhold it from children.

Lutherans understand that Baptism is pure Gospel. It is God's gift and promise to us. As Luther states in the catechism, "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." This is not merely Martin Luther's opinion, it is what the Bible teaches. Baptism forgives sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16). It clothes us with Christ's righteousness (Galatians 3:27). It unites us to Christ and to His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5, Colossians 2:11-12). Baptism sanctifies, making us holy (1 Peter 3:21, Titus 3:5-8, Ephesians 5:26). The action is all from God to us. He is active and we are passive.

There is no reason at all to question whether your Baptism counts. You have received from God a wonderful blessing. Through Holy Baptism you have been rescued from death and the devil and united to Christ and His resurrection. Don't question, but rather, rejoice in your Baptism and trust the One who gave it to you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

All Christians who have been baptized, Who know the God of heaven, And in whose daily life is prized – The name of Christ once given: Consider now what God has done, The gifts He gives to everyone – Baptized into Christ Jesus! ("All Christians Who Have Been Baptized" LSB 596, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor René Castillero