Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation
244. Who is to be baptised?
"All nations" are to be baptised, that is, all people, young and old.
245. What distinction is to be made in baptising?
A. Those who can receive instruction are to be baptised after they have been instructed in the main articles of the Christian faith. (Acts 2:38-39, 41, Acts 8:26-39, Acts 16:25-33))
B. Little children should be baptised when they are brought to Baptism by those who have authority over them. (Mark 10:13-15)
246. Why are babies to be baptised?
Babies are to be baptised because
A. They are included in the words "all nations"; (Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38-39)
B. Jesus especially invites little children to come to Him; (Luke 18:15-17)
C. As sinners, babies need what baptism offers; (John 3:5-6, Ephesians 2:3)
D. Babies also are able to have faith, (Matthew 18:6)
248. What great and precious things are given in Baptism?
Baptism
A. Works forgiveness of sins; (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16)
B. Rescues from death and the devil; (Romans 6:3,5, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 1:13-14, Colossians 2:11-12)
C. Gives eternal salvation; (Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Titus 3:5)
Tomorrow, my newborn daughter, Anastasia Hope Taylor, will be baptised into Christ at 8:30 AM EST.
Praise to You, O Christ, for your gracious gifts.
Praise be to God! I am glad God gave this little one to you and your wife. May He give grace upon grace to Anastasia all of her life. May she know the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ through the ups and downs she will encounter and always remember her baptism when times get tough. That her God caller her His own! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeletePlease move over a bit brother so I can kneel with you!
ReplyDeleteHaving been a "Crypto-Lutheran" (in the Reformed minions) and now a Confessional Lutheran, I greet with joy this blog! I too knew the despair of Geneva's Rationalism all too well. Luther warned,
"Moreover, we should refrain from debates about predestination and from similar discussions. They are fraught with danger and mischief, because they inquire into the will and hidden counsels of God apart from the Word. They want to investigate and explore too inquisitively why God has revealed Himself in one way or another, and why He so earnestly endeavors to persuade our will to believe. The inquisitiveness of Adam is well known. In Paradise he sought God apart from the Word, just as Satan did in heaven. Both found Him, but not without great harm.
Therefore let us learn that God must be apprehended, not with our reason but as He has revealed Himself and has condescended to speak and deal with us in human fashion. Indeed, we should joyfully welcome the Divine Majesty, who comes down to us with such humility that He not only invites us to Himself with promises but by inserting an oath even compels us to accept what the Word offers."
Martin Luther
Luther's Works, AE 4:143,
Lectures on Genesis,
Genesis 22:16