After completing the lesson, the student will be able to:
Know what scripture says regarding Baptism
Understand what Baptism does
Understand who is at work in Baptism
This lesson will have you reading many Bible passages and answering questions regarding what Scripture teaches about baptism.
To some Christians, the statement “Baptism saves” is upsetting. However, if you believe that Scripture is true, then it would be hard to say that Baptism doesn’t save you. For example, in I Peter 3:21 it says “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” So the right question then isn’t “does Baptism save?”... but “how does Baptism save?”
In thinking about Baptism, we must always remember that Baptism is not a second way of salvation. Baptism is not your savior, but it’s the work of Jesus Christ on the cross that will save you. Therefore Baptism saves because it connects you in faith to Jesus. Baptism is called a means of grace. In other words, it’s the vehicle God has chosen to deliver to you His forgiveness for your sins. Remember the illustration we used last week about electricity? The electricity generated at a power plant does you no good unless the power lines bring it to you. In the same way, Jesus won your salvation on the cross, and the sacraments (Lord’s Supper and Baptism) simply connect you to His sacrifice there. Baptism can be seen as the power line that brings God’s gift of forgiveness to you. Baptism saves you by connecting you to the only source of salvation: Jesus Christ!
BAPTISM IS NOT JUST A “SYMBOL” OR “PICTURE”
After you have gone through nearly every passage that references baptism in the Bible, have you noticed that not one verse explains or describes baptism as a symbol or a picture? Don’t believe me? Go back and look through the verses again. The conclusion can be made from the Word of God that baptism is not a just a symbol of Jesus death and resurrection. Baptism actually does something; it saves!
BAPTISM IS THE WORK OF GOD
Did any of these passages describe baptism as something we do for God or as a sign of our obedience to God? If you said no, you are correct! Baptism is not about us doing something for God, it’s about God doing something to and for us. In Baptism, God is reaching down to you, not you reaching up to God. We are only the recipients in Baptism.
Some Christians misunderstand who is doing the work in baptism, and will falsely accuse those who profess that “baptism saves” as teaching salvation by works. That’s why it’s so important for you to understand who is doing the work in baptism. Baptism is not “salvation by works”, because Baptism isn’t a work we do… it’s a work God is doing!
In Martin Luther’s Large Catechism, he talks at length about Baptism. In one section, he talks specifically about who is doing the work in Baptism. He said:
“For to be baptized in the name of God is to be baptized not by men, but by God Himself. Therefore, although it is performed by human hands, it is nevertheless truly God's own work.”
In Baptism, it is through the (1) water and the (2) Word of God that we are buried with Christ and united together with Him, so that we might be raised in a newness of life. Baptism saves by washing us, regenerating us, and renewing us with the Holy Spirit. And to top it all off, we can know that Baptism saves because God’s Word promises that it saves. When God makes a promise, we can be 100% sure He won’t break his promise. God doesn’t lie!
CAN YOU LOSE YOUR SALVATION?
One common question that comes up when we discuss Baptism is “Can you lose your salvation?” Some denominations teach that once a person is saved, they can never lose their salvation. A few phrases often associated with that teaching are “Once saved, always saved”, “Perseverance of the Saints”, or “Eternal Security”. But as Lutherans, we believe that someone who is actually saved is able to fall or drift away from the faith. Take a look at a few passages from the book of Hebrews, and see what it says.
Student & Parent Questions (for the student and a parent to discuss and answer together)
