An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism Part 32

CHAPTER x.x.xIV.

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY BAPTISM

I. _What is Baptism?_

Baptism is not simply water, but it is the water comprehended in G.o.d's command, and connected with G.o.d's Word.

_What is that Word of G.o.d?_

It is that which our Lord Jesus Christ spoke, as it is recorded in the last chapter of Matthew, verse 19: "Go ye, and teach (make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost."

WHAT BAPTISM IS.

Baptism consists in applying water to a person "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost," as Christ has commanded.

[Matt. 28:19]

BAPTISM IS NOT SIMPLY WATER. In one sense, indeed, the water used in baptism is simply ordinary water from well, cistern, or stream; [Acts 8:36] but when used in baptism it ceases to be simply water, and possesses special value and power, because

IT IS THE WATER COMPREHENDED IN G.o.d'S COMMAND. The water of baptism is a water which G.o.d has commanded us to use,--His command being, "Go ye and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them," etc.

AND CONNECTED WITH G.o.d'S WORD. In baptism, water is applied "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost"; and thus it is used in connection, with the very words of Christ Himself. The water and the Word together make the sacrament.

ITS NECESSITY. Baptism is necessary for all, because Christ has commanded that all should be baptized, and has connected the blessing of salvation with this sacrament. [Matt. 16:16] Those who despise it and refuse to be baptized, cannot be saved. But if any person should desire baptism and be unable to obtain it, he would not on that account be lost. It is not the lack of baptism, but the despising of baptism that condemns.

Baptism is to be administered by the pastor. But if there should be extreme peril of death before a minister could possibly arrive, any member of the Church may baptize. Such lay-baptism, however, should afterwards be announced in church, and be declared valid.

WHO ARE TO BE BAPTIZED.

The command of Christ to "make disciples" includes "all nations." All those persons, therefore, who are willing to become disciples are to be baptized; namely, adults who have received the proper religious instruction and profess faith in Christ, and children whom competent sponsors present for baptism.

INFANT BAPTISM. Infants should be baptized at a very early age, and thus be received into G.o.d's covenant as His children. Since they cannot be instructed before baptism, they should be carefully instructed afterwards [Matt. 28:20] and be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, [Eph. 6:4] so that they may always remain faithful and obedient children of G.o.d.

SPONSORS answer the questions for the child at its baptism, and promise to see to it that the child is properly instructed and trained in the Christian religion. Sponsors must themselves be members in good standing in the Church.

WHY CHILDREN SHOULD BE BAPTIZED.[12] As children were received into the Old Testament covenant by the rite of circ.u.mcision, which was a type of baptism, so G.o.d desires that they shall be received into the New Testament covenant by baptism. Some of the reasons for infant baptism are the following:--

[Footnote 12: Baptists sometimes argue against infant baptism on the basis of the Scripture pa.s.sage: "Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them," etc., claiming that Christ says first teach and then baptize.

But, as a matter of fact, Christ mentions baptizing before teaching in this pa.s.sage. For in its correct translation, as given in the Revised Version of the English Bible, it reads, "Go ye therefore, and _make disciples_ of all the nations, _baptizing_ them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; _teaching_ them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you." If the order in which the two words "baptize" and "teach" occur in this pa.s.sage proved anything with respect to the baptism of infants, it would prove that they _should_ be baptized. For in the case of children, baptizing comes first and teaching follows, just as in the pa.s.sage quoted.]

1. Children form part of the "nations" whom Christ commanded His disciples to baptize.

2. They are by nature sinful and need G.o.d's grace as well as adults.

[John 3:5, 6, Job 14:4] While they have not yet committed any conscious transgressions, they have inherited a sinful heart, and the germs of sin in them will soon grow into actual transgressions.

3. Christ has commanded that little children should be brought to Him, and we obey this command by baptizing them and teaching them. [Luke 18:16]

4. Christ says of children, "Of such is the kingdom of G.o.d": [Mark 10:14, 15+] and they have a right, therefore, to receive that sacrament by which we enter G.o.d's kingdom.

5. The promise of G.o.d's grace is given to children as well as to adults.

[Acts 2:39]

6. Children have capacity for faith. [Matt. 18:6]

7. The apostles baptized whole families. [Acts 16:33]

HOW BAPTISM IS TO BE ADMINISTERED.

In His command to baptize, Christ does not specify any mode of baptism.

It may be performed in any one of three ways; namely, by sprinkling, pouring, or immersion. One mode of baptism is just as valid as the others. The most convenient mode, the one best adapted to all circ.u.mstances, and the one most widely used in the Christian Church, is by pouring or sprinkling. Immersion is not advisable in our climate, and in many cases, such as severe sickness, it could not possibly be employed.

IMMERSION NOT ESSENTIAL. The word "baptize" does not necessarily mean to immerse, as the Baptists claim. When the Saviour inst.i.tuted this sacrament, He did not coin a new word, but employed one already in use.

The original Greek word from which our English word "baptize" is derived, is used in the New Testament in the sense of was.h.i.+ng [Mark 7:4]

and sprinkling. [I Cor. 10:2] The baptism of the three thousand on the day of Pentecost [Acts 2:41] and of the Philippian jailor [Acts 16:33]

could hardly have been by immersion, on account of the scarcity of water available for such a purpose. When Jesus was baptized, He "came up out of the water"; [Matt. 3:16] but it is quite probable that He stood in the stream while John poured water on His head.

THE ESSENCE OF BAPTISM consists in applying water "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost"; and its gracious effect depends, not on the amount of water that is used, but on the Word of G.o.d with which the water is connected.

QUESTIONS.--1. What does baptism consist in? 2. Why is baptism not simply water? 3. What is meant by "water comprehended in G.o.d's command"?

4. What is meant by "water connected with G.o.d's Word"? 5. What is to be said about the necessity of baptism? 6. Who are to be baptized? 7. What is to be said about infant baptism? 8. Who may be sponsors, and what is their duty? 9. Give some reasons for infant baptism. 10. What is to be said about the mode of baptism? 11. Why is immersion not essential? 12.

In what does the essence of baptism consist?

SCRIPTURE VERSES.--John 3:5, 6. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of G.o.d. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Mark 10:14, 15. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of G.o.d. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of G.o.d as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

READING.-The Baptism of Jesus, Matt. 3:13-17.

CHAPTER x.x.xV.

II. _What gifts or benefits does Baptism confer?_

It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and confers everlasting salvation on all who believe, as the Word and promise of G.o.d declare.

_What are such words and promises of G.o.d?_

Those which our Lord Jesus Christ spoke, as they are recorded in the last chapter of Mark, verse 16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be d.a.m.ned."