Baptism Is A Means Of Grace (And Children May Be Baptized!)

[TristanCross]

Not only did the early Christian Catholic Church teach this, but the reformers taught it!

I was reading my Small Catechism, and saw that it teaches that baptism is a means of grace.

161. Why do you say that the Holy Spirit has done this by the Gospel?

The Gospel is the means by which the Holy Spirit offers us all the blessings of Christ
and creates faith in us.

Note: The written and spoken Word of the Gospel and the sacraments are the means of grace.

566 John 17:20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through
their message.

567 Rom. 10:17 Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the
word of Christ.

568 1 Cor. 4:15 In Christ Jesus I became your father through the Gospel.

569 1 Peter 1:23 You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through
the living and enduring word of God.

570 Titus 3:5 He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Baptism)

571 John 20:22-23 With that He breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive
anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
(Absolution)

572 Matt. 26:27-28 He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of
you. This is My blood of the covenant [testament], which is poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins.” (Lord’s Supper)

249. If Christ has already won forgiveness and salvation for us and gives us
all this by grace alone, why do we still need Baptism?

Christ has indeed won full forgiveness and salvation for the whole human race with
His perfect life, suffering, death, and resurrection. He distributes this same
forgiveness in Baptism. (Baptism is a means of grace.)

854 1 Cor. 6:11 You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
**
855** 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.

Though, Martin also taught that if a person was unable to be baptized before they died but had faith, they were saved. Still, this is interesting, and in line with Catholic teaching. Very interesting…

Also, remember the Augsburg Confession?

Confession:

Article IX: Of Baptism.

Of Baptism they teach that it is necessary to salvation, and that through Baptism is offered the grace of God, and that children are to be baptized who, being offered to God through Baptism are received into God’s grace.

They condemn the Anabaptists, who reject the baptism of children, and say that children are saved without Baptism.

Confutation:

To Article IX.

The ninth article, concerning Baptism - viz. that it is necessary to salvation, and that children ought to be baptized - is approved and accepted, and they are right in condemning the Anabaptists, a most seditious class of men that ought to be banished far from the boundaries of the Roman Empire in order that illustrious Germany may not suffer again such a destructive and sanguinary commotion as she experienced five tears ago in the slaughter of so many thousands.

Defense:

Article IX: Of Baptism.

The Ninth Article has been approved, in which we confess that Baptism is necessary to salvation, and that children are to be baptized, and that the baptism of children is not in vain, but is necessary and effectual to salvation. And since the Gospel is taught among us purely and diligently, by God’s favor we receive also from it this fruit, that in our Churches no Anabaptists have arisen [have not gained ground in our Churches], because the people have been fortified by God’s Word against the wicked and seditious faction of these robbers. And as we condemn quite a number of other errors of the Anabaptists, we condemn this also, that they dispute that the baptism of little children is unprofitable. For it is very certain that the promise of salvation pertains also to little children [that the divine promises of grace and of the Holy Ghost belong not alone to the old, but also to children]. It does not, however, pertain to those who are outside of Christ’s Church, where there is neither Word nor Sacraments, because the kingdom of Christ exists only with the Word and Sacraments. Therefore it is necessary to baptize little children, that the promise of salvation may be applied to them, according to Christ’s command, Matt. 28:19: Baptize all nations. Just as here salvation is offered to all, so Baptism is offered to all, to men, women, children, infants. It clearly follows, therefore, that infants are to be baptized, because with Baptism salvation [the universal grace and treasure of the Gospel] is offered. Secondly, it is manifest that God approves of the baptism of little children. Therefore the Anabaptists, who condemn the baptism of little children, believe wickedly. That God, however, approves of the baptism of little children is shown by this, namely, that God gives the Holy Ghost to those thus baptized [to many who have been baptized in childhood]. For if this baptism would be in vain, the Holy Ghost would be given to none, none would be saved, and finally there would be no Church. [For there have been many holy men in the Church who have not been baptized otherwise.] This reason, even taken alone, can sufficiently establish good and godly minds against the godless and fanatical opinions of the Anabaptists.

 

[TristanCross]

A little more:

The Large Catechism

“It remains for us to speak of our two sacraments, instituted by Christ. Every Christian ought to have at least some brief, elementary instruction in them because without these no one can be a Christian … First we shall take up Baptism through which we are first received into the Christian community. … Moreover, it is solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we shall not be saved” (pp. 80-81).

“Hence it is well described as a divine, blessed, fruitful, and gracious water, for through the Word Baptism receives the power to become the “washing of regeneration,” as St. Paul calls it in Titus 3:5. … Thus faith clings to the water and believes it to be Baptism in which there is sheer salvation and life …” (p. 84).

“‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved,’ that is, faith alone makes the person worthy to receive the salutary, divine water profitably. … But it becomes beneficial to you if you accept it as God’s command and ordinance, so that, baptized in the name of God, you may receive in the water the promised salvation” (pp. 84-85).

“He always [the Christian] has enough to do to believe firmly what Baptism promises and brings – victory over death and the devil, forgiveness of sin, God’s grace, the entire Christ, and the Holy Spirit with his gifts. In short the blessings of Baptism are so boundless … Now here in Baptism there is brought free to every man’s door just such a priceless medicine which swallows up death and saves the lives of all men. To appreciate and use Baptism aright, we must draw strength and comfort from it when our sins or conscience oppress us, and we must retort, “But I am baptized! And if I am baptized, I have the promise that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and body.” … No greater jewel, therefore, can adorn our body and soul than Baptism, for through it we obtain perfect holiness and salvation, which no other kind of life and no work on earth can acquire” (pp. 85-86). (Bold added.)

“Thus we see what a great and excellent thing Baptism is, which snatches us from the jaws of the devil and makes God our own, overcomes and takes away sin and daily strengthens the new man, always remains until we pass from this present misery to eternal glory. … As we have once obtained forgiveness of sins in Baptism …” (p. 90).

Further Quotes from Luther on Baptism

“The Anabaptists cavil as to how the salvation of man is to be effected by water. The simple answer is, that all things are possible to him who believes in God Almighty” (Table Talk, p. 180).

“Just so, when we are baptized into everlasting life and the kingdom of heaven … Therefore it is necessary that we should be baptized into Jesus Christ and His death” (Commentary on Romans – Martin Luther, translated by J. Theodore Mueller, p. 101).

“… made children of God. … by a new birth, and by the renewing of the inward man, which is done in baptism … For, besides that they who are baptized are regenerate and renewed by the Holy Ghost to a heavenly righteousness, and to eternal life … And this is to put on Christ truly, according to the gospel. … This is diligently to be noted, because of the fond and fantastical spirits, who go about to deface the majesty of baptism, and speak wickedly of it. Paul, contrariwise, commendeth it, and setteth it forth with honorable titles, calling it, ‘the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.’ And here also he saith, that ‘all ye that are baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.’ Wherefore baptism is a thing of great force and efficacy” (Commentary On Galatians – Martin Luther, translated by Erasmus Middleton, pp. 221-222).

"… so, it is to be observed, must you also be saved in baptism. Just as that water swallowed up all that was then living, of man and beast, so baptism also swallows up all that is of the flesh and of the corrupt nature, and makes us spiritual (Commentary On Peter & Jude – Martin Luther, Kregel Publications, p. 169).

It sounds like Martin Luther was inconsistent in his theology, teaching Sola Fide and Baptismal Regeneration at the same time!

 

[ljubim]

It sounds like Martin Luther was inconsistent in his theology

Haha, what’s new? How else can we justify what he did? Mental issues perhaps

 

[O.S.Luke]

Is there a question here? Or is it just an anti-Luther ranting?

Baptism IS a means of grace. And children MAY be baptized. I agree.

 

[LanD]

Good to see that you’re doing some studying TristanCross. It’s all over history, tradition, and yes,even the Bible! Baptism is no “symbolic” ritual that is “just an option” to show that you’re a Christian. And yes, Children belongs to the kingdom of God so why keep baptism away from them when it’s necessary?