HOLY BAPTISM
15 Questions People Ask About Holy Baptism in the Lutheran Church
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1. What does the word "baptize" mean?
“Baptize" means to apply water by immersing, washing, pouring, etc. A person may be baptized by immersion (totally submerging them in the water), by sprinkling, or by pouring. All three are Biblically acceptable, but in the Lutheran church Baptism is usually done by sprinkling or pouring water on the person; rarely by immersion.
2. Why do we baptize people?
God Himself commanded us to, when Jesus commanded His church to baptize all nations.
3. Who can perform the Sacrament of Holy Baptism?
Since Jesus gave this command to His church, any Christian can perform a baptism; but normally the Pastor of the local congregation performs the baptisms - this is a responsibility the local congregation gives him in his call.
4. Why do Lutherans baptize babies?
Lutherans baptize babies because:
5. What does God promise in Baptism?
He promises that baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this.
6. Is Baptism necessary for salvation?
Yes! The Bible explains that sin is not merely something wrong that a person does, but also and more importantly something wrong that a person IS. The idea is that sin is like a massive lethal infection that invades every atom of the body and will still lead to eternal death in hell, even if you could keep all of God's Commandments perfectly. If sin is the disease, Baptism is the means by which you receive the cure, the forgiveness of sin that Jesus won by His death on the cross.See also question 7.
7. Is it possible for an unbaptized person to be saved?
It is only unbelief that condemns a person to hell. But faith cannot exist in the heart of a person who despises or rejects Baptism when they know what the Bible says about it. But those who believe the Gospel yet die before they have the opportunity to be baptized are not condemned.
8. Is Baptism a visible testimony of the faith of the person being baptized?
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism itself is never merely a visible testimony of the faith of the person being baptized - instead, it is a visible testimony of the grace and mercy of our loving Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ, and a means by which the Father actually gives the baptized person forgiveness, eternal life and salvation.However, the DESIRE to be Baptized is a visible testimony of the faith of the person about to be baptized. For this reason, adults are baptized after we know they have come to faith and have expressed the desire to receive this Sacrament.The desire to have one's child baptized is also a visible testimony of the faith of a parent. For this reason, parents are encourage to bring their children to the Sacrament of Holy Baptism so that they might receive the blessings God has promised them as His children. See question 12.
9. What does Baptism symbolize?
Baptism symbolizes the person's death to sin and the devil, and his resurrection to a new life in Jesus Christ. However, Baptism also actually WORKS in or GIVES to a person forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation from sin,death, and the devil.
10. Is Baptism a guarantee of entry into heaven?
No. After Baptism a person may fall away from God into unbelief and still be lost and condemned, because of their unbelief. But because God also gives the Holy Spirit to the baptized person, who works and strengthens faith in that person throughout his life, he or she is able with the help of the Holy Spirit to remain strong in their faith and not fall away. For this reason it is not only desirable but necessary after Baptism to pray regularly, read and study God's Word frequently, and attend worship services whenever possible so that the Holy Spirit may do His work well.
11. What about Sponsors or Godparents?
Sponsors or Godparents are often used at the Baptism of infants because the ceremony surrounding the actual Sacrament requires answers to faith questions that an infant cannot understand or answer for himself. The Sponsor or Godparent "sponsors" the child into the church until he is old enough and understands enough about the Christian faith to answer these same questions for himself. For this reason they should be reasonably strong in their Christian faith; though it is not necessary that they be members of this Lutheran Congregation. See question 12.
12. What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is a ceremony in the Lutheran Church in which the child who was baptized earlier now stands up and makes a public declaration of his understanding of basic Christian doctrines and his own faith in front of the whole congregation. He answers the same questions with his own mouth that his sponsors answered at his baptism.
13. What actually happens at a Baptism service?
The pastor (or another Christian) pours water on the head of the person being baptized (or sprinkles it on, or immerses the person in water), and says the words "I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The rest of the baptism service that surrounds the Sacrament of Holy Baptism is full of Scripture and the traditional practice of the church through the ages, so that we are reminded about many of the teachings of the church concerning Baptism.
14. What are some practical details for a baptism at Christ the King?
Date and time; who the sponsors will be; and be sure to invite your family! Because Baptism was given by Jesus Christ to the entire church, the Baptism service is usually part of the regular worship service of the congregation; however, under special circumstances the service may be held at another time during the day, on another day, or even in another location than the church building. These arrangements need to be discussed with the pastor.
15. How do I arrange for a baptism at Christ the King Lutheran Church?
Talk to the Pastor. He will be happy to arrange a time to sit down with you and discuss the practical aspects of the baptism service with you.There is no fee for receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Notes
1 Mark 7:4 When the Pharisees come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the baptizing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches.
2 Matthew 28:19-20 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
3 John 3:5 No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of the Spirit.
4 Romans 6:4 We were buried with Christ through Baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 Mark 10:13-15 Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
6 Matt. 18:6 If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7 Acts 2:38-39 Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children.
8 Mark 10:13-15 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them.
9 1 Peter 3:21 The water of Noah's flood symbolizes baptism that now saves you also ... by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Titus 3:5-7 He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
10 Mark 16:16 Whoever does not believe will be condemned.
“Baptize" means to apply water by immersing, washing, pouring, etc. A person may be baptized by immersion (totally submerging them in the water), by sprinkling, or by pouring. All three are Biblically acceptable, but in the Lutheran church Baptism is usually done by sprinkling or pouring water on the person; rarely by immersion.
2. Why do we baptize people?
God Himself commanded us to, when Jesus commanded His church to baptize all nations.
3. Who can perform the Sacrament of Holy Baptism?
Since Jesus gave this command to His church, any Christian can perform a baptism; but normally the Pastor of the local congregation performs the baptisms - this is a responsibility the local congregation gives him in his call.
4. Why do Lutherans baptize babies?
Lutherans baptize babies because:
- Children and infants are included in Jesus' words "all nations," and so in His command to baptize;
- Faith does not come by a decision of a person to believe, but the Holy Spirit creates faith in a person. A baby can have faith even if he cannot express it;
- It is necessary for salvation;
- Baptism enables a person to live the new life in Christ;
- Jesus invited us to bring children to Him;
- The promise of Baptism is for children as well as adults;
- Holy Baptism is always God's act, never the act of the person receiving Baptism;
- It is a means by which God gives forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation; and
- Parental responsibility includes bringing children to Holy Baptism.
5. What does God promise in Baptism?
He promises that baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this.
6. Is Baptism necessary for salvation?
Yes! The Bible explains that sin is not merely something wrong that a person does, but also and more importantly something wrong that a person IS. The idea is that sin is like a massive lethal infection that invades every atom of the body and will still lead to eternal death in hell, even if you could keep all of God's Commandments perfectly. If sin is the disease, Baptism is the means by which you receive the cure, the forgiveness of sin that Jesus won by His death on the cross.See also question 7.
7. Is it possible for an unbaptized person to be saved?
It is only unbelief that condemns a person to hell. But faith cannot exist in the heart of a person who despises or rejects Baptism when they know what the Bible says about it. But those who believe the Gospel yet die before they have the opportunity to be baptized are not condemned.
8. Is Baptism a visible testimony of the faith of the person being baptized?
The Sacrament of Holy Baptism itself is never merely a visible testimony of the faith of the person being baptized - instead, it is a visible testimony of the grace and mercy of our loving Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ, and a means by which the Father actually gives the baptized person forgiveness, eternal life and salvation.However, the DESIRE to be Baptized is a visible testimony of the faith of the person about to be baptized. For this reason, adults are baptized after we know they have come to faith and have expressed the desire to receive this Sacrament.The desire to have one's child baptized is also a visible testimony of the faith of a parent. For this reason, parents are encourage to bring their children to the Sacrament of Holy Baptism so that they might receive the blessings God has promised them as His children. See question 12.
9. What does Baptism symbolize?
Baptism symbolizes the person's death to sin and the devil, and his resurrection to a new life in Jesus Christ. However, Baptism also actually WORKS in or GIVES to a person forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and salvation from sin,death, and the devil.
10. Is Baptism a guarantee of entry into heaven?
No. After Baptism a person may fall away from God into unbelief and still be lost and condemned, because of their unbelief. But because God also gives the Holy Spirit to the baptized person, who works and strengthens faith in that person throughout his life, he or she is able with the help of the Holy Spirit to remain strong in their faith and not fall away. For this reason it is not only desirable but necessary after Baptism to pray regularly, read and study God's Word frequently, and attend worship services whenever possible so that the Holy Spirit may do His work well.
11. What about Sponsors or Godparents?
Sponsors or Godparents are often used at the Baptism of infants because the ceremony surrounding the actual Sacrament requires answers to faith questions that an infant cannot understand or answer for himself. The Sponsor or Godparent "sponsors" the child into the church until he is old enough and understands enough about the Christian faith to answer these same questions for himself. For this reason they should be reasonably strong in their Christian faith; though it is not necessary that they be members of this Lutheran Congregation. See question 12.
12. What is Confirmation?
Confirmation is a ceremony in the Lutheran Church in which the child who was baptized earlier now stands up and makes a public declaration of his understanding of basic Christian doctrines and his own faith in front of the whole congregation. He answers the same questions with his own mouth that his sponsors answered at his baptism.
13. What actually happens at a Baptism service?
The pastor (or another Christian) pours water on the head of the person being baptized (or sprinkles it on, or immerses the person in water), and says the words "I baptize you in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The rest of the baptism service that surrounds the Sacrament of Holy Baptism is full of Scripture and the traditional practice of the church through the ages, so that we are reminded about many of the teachings of the church concerning Baptism.
14. What are some practical details for a baptism at Christ the King?
Date and time; who the sponsors will be; and be sure to invite your family! Because Baptism was given by Jesus Christ to the entire church, the Baptism service is usually part of the regular worship service of the congregation; however, under special circumstances the service may be held at another time during the day, on another day, or even in another location than the church building. These arrangements need to be discussed with the pastor.
15. How do I arrange for a baptism at Christ the King Lutheran Church?
Talk to the Pastor. He will be happy to arrange a time to sit down with you and discuss the practical aspects of the baptism service with you.There is no fee for receiving the Sacrament of Holy Baptism
Notes
1 Mark 7:4 When the Pharisees come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the baptizing of cups, pitchers, kettles, and couches.
2 Matthew 28:19-20 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
3 John 3:5 No one can enter the Kingdom of God unless he is born of water and of the Spirit.
4 Romans 6:4 We were buried with Christ through Baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 Mark 10:13-15 Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
6 Matt. 18:6 If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7 Acts 2:38-39 Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children.
8 Mark 10:13-15 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them.
9 1 Peter 3:21 The water of Noah's flood symbolizes baptism that now saves you also ... by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Titus 3:5-7 He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
10 Mark 16:16 Whoever does not believe will be condemned.
