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The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
When to baptize and who should be baptized is one
of the most divisive questions in Christendom. There are two fundamental
approaches to Baptism. Baptism is either an outward work, a pledge, performed
by a person in obedience to God's command, or Holy Baptism is a work performed
by God wherein He gives all the benefits of Christ's work to the one being
baptized. It is really that simple. Baptism either gives something or it
does not. It is either a work of man or it is the work of God. It is either
a mere outward symbol of a convert's obedience or it is the living Word
of God itself wherein everything that is in the Gospel is given to the
one being baptized.
Romans 6:3-5 says,
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into
Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been
buried with Him through baptism into death. . . If we have become united
with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also [united
with Him] in the likeness of His resurrection."
1 Peter 3:21,
"Baptism now saves you-- not the removal of dirt from the flesh,
but an appeal to God for a good conscience-- through the resurrection of
Jesus Christ."
Baptism is the Gospel in liquid form. In the Sacrament
of Holy Baptism, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit washes away all sin,
wraps the baptized in the righteousness robe of Jesus Christ, and adopts
the baptized as His very own child, regardless of age. Through the Sacrament
of Holy Baptism a person is brought into the Christian Faith, made a member
of the Christian Church, and begins a life of worship, instruction, and
service to God.
So come to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church where
the Word of God, the Sacraments, and the liturgy are rightly used and your
life in Christ can begin.
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