Baptism

After His resurrection and before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave the command to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and to also teach all that He had commanded. (Matthew 28:18-20).  Jesus' disciples took this command seriously. After Peter preached a sermon in Acts 2, the people asked what they should do next.  Peter replied with the following words in Acts 2:38-39:  "“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  We read in Acts 2:41, that the  disciples baptized more than 3,000 that day (Acts 2:41).  

Lutheran have a distinct belief in regards to Baptism.  While some might think that  baptism is something we do for God, Lutherans believe that, in baptism, God is doing something for us.  We call baptism a "means of grace", in that it has the power to impart faith and forgive sins.  

We baptism little children and even tiny babies.  Why?  This is the teaching and practice of Scripture.  Jesus' command was to baptize all nations in Matthew 28.  Children are included in "all nations".   The apostles not only baptized adults, but also entire households of believers (Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33).   Even today, if you visit the catacombs where the early Christians buried their dead, you will see grave inscriptions such as "Flavius, 3 months old.  Baptized."  The early Christians practiced what the apostles and Scripture had taught.   We do not see baptism as  an "ordinance" which means "law".  Rather,  Lutherans see baptism as God's gracious work of  grace.  We cannot save ourselves.  One of the  best pictures of grace is God giving His forgiveness to a little baby who can do nothing for himself or herself.

Can a little child have faith?  Read these words of Jesus in Matthew 18:6  "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better that a millstone be hung around his neck."

Some object, "Didn't Peter say, 'Repent and believe the Gospel in Acts 2:38?  Only adults can repent."   The Lutheran response:  "If repentance is an act of the human intellect and will, then you lose your repentant heart whenever you take a nap or fall asleep.  This would also mean that baptism would need to be withheld from many special needs children and adults.  Lutherans see even repentance as a gift of God's grace by the Holy Spirit, and not man's work.  If repentance is something we do, we will forever be wondering if we repented enough . . .or correctly.

The word baptize simply means to apply water.   This is evident from Mark 7:4 where the Pharisees were baptizing (doing a ritual washing) to even couches in the home.  As a result, Lutherans are comfortable with baptism being done with any application of water, whether by sprinkling or immersion.  We will not make a rule, where the Scriptures do not make one.