Today's Reading: Small Catechism: Baptism, part 1

Daily Lectionary: 2 Samuel 7:18-20; 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:16

What is Baptism? (Small Catechism: Baptism)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. How do you answer this question? Luther’s answer is a good start: "Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word." But let’s be a bit broader.

What is a baptism? Simply put, baptism is a ceremonial washing. Christian Baptism is the kind of washing Christians do as Jesus commanded us. Before Jesus instituted Christian Baptism, there were different kinds of religious washings, some commanded by God in the Old Testament. For example, someone with a skin disease needed to wash their clothes, shave their hair, and bathe before they could be clean and return to the community (Leviticus 14:8-9). John’s baptizing in the Jordan River is another kind of ceremonial washing. This one was a baptism of repentance to prepare sinners to receive Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

What is Christian Baptism? Just before ascending into heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely I will be with you always even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). To this day, we follow His command and baptize in this Name, trusting His promise to always be with us. We also keep baptizing and teaching together. A Christian is not only baptized, or only taught, but a true Christian disciple of Jesus is made through baptizing and teaching.

Let’s offer another kind of answer to our question, "What is Baptism?" It is a precious gift, a great comfort, and a profound mystery as God works through it to make me His own. It assures me that for Jesus’ sake, my sins are washed away and I have been united with Christ and made an heir of His kingdom. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

God’s own child, I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, Gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth’s treasures many? I have one worth more than any That brought me salvation free Lasting to eternity! ("God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" LSB 594, st.1)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch