Baptism saves
by Sal Huckel
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… and the Holy Spirit descended on [Jesus] in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’ (Luke 3:22).
Read Luke 3:15–17,21,22
A month ago, I had a rare Sunday away from my own congregation and attended the baptism of a friend’s baby and the baptism of a large group of teens and young adults at another church. Neither church was Lutheran, and I felt the disconnect during both services.
Originally an outsider to Lutheran teaching, it took me a long time to understand what Lutherans mean when we discuss remembering our baptism or living out our baptism daily.
As we ponder the difference between John’s baptism (merely the water) and Jesus’ baptism, we must remember what we believe as Lutherans. If it’s a while since you read the Large Catechism on baptism, or if you haven’t read it before, it’s a valuable thing to do to understand how we differ from other theology in the sacrament of baptism. Martin Luther reminds us that the water and word should:
… by no means be separated from each other and parted. For if the word is separated from it, the water is the same as the water that the servant cooks with. It may indeed be called a bath-keeper’s baptism. But when the word is added, as God ordained it, it is a sacrament, and it is called Christ’s baptism.
It is reassuring and encouraging to me as I ponder the fact that I cannot ‘remember’ my own infant baptism and that in the sacrament, I was indeed baptised into Christ’s death and resurrection – despite the lack of any believers to raise me in the faith. While I cannot point to a ‘believer’s baptism’ where I made a declaration of my faith like the young people I witnessed only weeks ago, I have the assurances of Scripture that God did the work in my baptism– and I did not need to. His grace is not dependent on my level of belief or efforts. Further, Luther reminds us to value our baptism as a daily dress (Galatians 3:27 – we are clothed with Christ) and walk in it constantly (Large Catechism). We start to realise what it is to walk in (and wear) our baptism daily.
Father God, you descended on your Son Jesus like a dove and declared your love for him for all to hear. Thank you that I am also baptised into Jesus’ baptism and have received the Holy Spirit. Increase my faith as I remember my baptism daily, and help me to nurture the faith of others in my care as you work in their lives, too. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel, and they live in Victoria with their six children, enjoying their ministry with Moorabbin–Dandenong Lutheran Church. Their two eldest children are excited to study at undergraduate and postgraduate levels during term time in Sydney. Theology, music, philosophy, literature and history are passions the family shares and explores together. Sal loves writing, speaking and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
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