What is Baptism?
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is water used by God’s command and connected with God’s Word (see Matthew 28:19)
What does Baptism do for us?
Baptism works forgiveness of sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. (See Mark 16:16)
How can water do such great things?
It is certainly not the water that does such things, but God’s Word, which is in and with the water, and faither, which trusts this Word used with the water. For without God’s Word, the water is just plain water, and not Baptism. But with this Word, it is Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of rebirth by the Hold Spirit. (See Titus 3:5)
What does baptizing with water mean?
Baptism means that the old Adam (our sinful nature) in us should be drowned by daily contrition and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death. This also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever. (See Romans 6:4)
