Baptism

The following section on Baptism follows Dr. Martin Luther as he explains the truth about Baptism based on the faithful exposition of Holy Scripture in his

[1] Large Catechism:

3] In the first place, we must above all things know well the words upon which Baptism is founded, and to which everything refers that is to be said on the subject, namely, where the Lord Christ speaks in [Matthew 28:19], 4] “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, …”

Likewise in St. [Mark 16:16],  5]  “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

6] In these words you must note, in the first place, that here stand God’s commandment and institution, unless we doubt that Baptism is divine, not devised nor invented by men. For as truly as we can say, no man has spun the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer out of his head, but they are revealed and given by God Himself, so also we can boast that Baptism is no human plaything, but instituted by God Himself. Furthermore it is most solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptised or we cannot be saved. 7] For it is of the greatest importance that we esteem Baptism 8] excellent, glorious, and exalted, for which we contend and fight mainly, because the world is now so full of sects crying out that Baptism is an external thing, and that external things are of no benefit. But let it be ever so much an external thing, here stand God’s Word and command which institute, establish, and confirm Baptism. But what God institutes and commands cannot be a vain, but must be a most precious thing, though in appearance it were of less value than a straw.

10] For to be baptised in the name of God is to be baptised not by men, but by God Himself. Therefore, although it is performed by human hands, it is nevertheless truly God’s own work. From this fact every one may himself readily deduct that it is a far higher work than any work performed by a man or a saint. For what work greater than the work of God can we do?

11] But here the devil is busy to delude us with false appearances, and lead us away from the work of God to our own works. For there is a much more splendid appearance when a [1]Carthusian does many great and difficult works; and we all think much more of that which we do and merit ourselves. 12] But the Scriptures teach thus: Even though we collect in one mass the works of all the monks, however splendidly they may shine, they would not be as noble and good as if God should pick up a straw. Why? Because the person is nobler and better. Here, then, we must not estimate the person according to the works, but the works according to the person, from whom they must derive their nobility. 13] But insane reason will not regard this, and because Baptism does not shine like the works which we do, it is to be esteemed as nothing.

14] From this now learn a proper understanding of the subject, and how to answer the question what Baptism is, namely thus, that it is not mere ordinary water, but water comprehended in God’s Word and command, and sanctified thereby, so that it is nothing else than a divine water; not that the water in itself is nobler than other water, but that God’s Word and command are added.

15] Therefore it is pure wickedness and blasphemy of the devil that now our new spirits, to mock at Baptism, omit from it God’s Word and institution, and look upon it in no other way than as water which is taken from the well, and then babble and say: How is a handful of water to help the soul? 16] Aye, my friend, who does not know that water is water if tearing things apart is what we are after? But how dare you thus interfere with God’s order, and tear away the most precious treasure with which God has connected and enclosed it, and which He will not have separated? For the kernel in the water is God’s Word or command and the name of God, which is a treasure greater and nobler than heaven and earth.

17] Comprehend the difference, then, that Baptism is quite another thing than all other water; not on account of the natural quality but because something more noble is here added; for God Himself stakes His honour, His power and might on it. Therefore it is not only natural water, but a divine, heavenly, holy, and blessed water, and in whatever other terms we can praise it,-all on account of the Word, which is a heavenly, holy Word, that no one can sufficiently extol, for it has, and is able to do, all that God is and can do [since it has all the virtue and power of God comprised in it]. 18] Hence also it derives its essence as a Sacrament, as St. Augustine also taught: When the Word is joined to the element or natural substance, it becomes a Sacrament, that is, a holy and divine matter and sign.

19] Therefore we always teach that the Sacraments and all external things which God ordains and institutes should not be regarded according to the coarse, external mask, as we regard the shell of a nut, but as the Word of God is included therein. 20] For thus we also speak of the parental estate and of civil government. If we propose to regard them in as far as they have noses, eyes, skin, and hair, flesh and bones, they look like Turks and heathen, and some one might start up and say: Why should I esteem them more than others? But because the commandment is added: Honour thy father and thy mother, I behold a different man, adorned and clothed with the majesty and glory of God. The commandment (I say) is the chain of gold about his neck, yea, the crown upon his head, which shows to me how and why one must honour this flesh and blood.

21] Thus, and much more even, you must honour Baptism and esteem it glorious on account of the Word, since He Himself has honoured it both by words and deeds; moreover, confirmed it with miracles from heaven. For do you think it was a jest that, when Christ was baptised, the heavens were opened and the Holy Spirit descended visibly, and everything was divine glory and majesty?

22] Therefore I exhort again that these two, the water and the Word, by no means be separated from one another and parted. For if the Word is separated from it, the water is the same as that with which the servant cooks, and may indeed be called a bath-keeper’s baptism. But when it is added, as God has ordained, it is a Sacrament, and is called Christ-baptism. Let this be the [2]first part, regarding the essence and dignity of the holy Sacrament.

[1] BOC, www.bookofconcord.org., Large Catechism, Part 4, 1-22. Note: This passage has been edited, slightly, to enhance the readability and to fit the structure of the website page.

[2]  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Carthusians.

[3] The rest of the exposition can be found in BOC, www.bookofconcord.org., Large Catechism, Part 4, 23-86.