IMMANUEL
Lutheran Church
God's own child I gladly say it: I am baptized into Christ! He, because I could not pay it, gave my full redemption price. Do I need earth's treasures many? I have one worth more than any that brought me salvation free lasting to eternity!
Sin disturb my soul no longer: I am baptized into Christ! I have comfort even stronger: Jesus' cleansing sacrifice. Should a guilty conscience seize me since my Baptism did release me In a dear forgiving flood, sprinkling me with Jesus' blood?
Satan hear this proclamation: I am baptized into Christ! Drop your ugly accusation, I am not so soon enticed. Now that to the font I've traveled, all your might has come unraveled, and, against your tyranny, God, my Lord, unites with me!
(LSB 594: 1,2,3)
"Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His" (Romans 6:3-5).
"He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:5-7).
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5). Babies are sinful and need what Baptism promises: the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
"Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word" (Ephesians 5:25-26).
Our Lord Jesus instituted Baptism (Matthew 28:19), joining water to God's Word and His Triune name. This is how God makes us His dear children and disciples.
Jesus establishes Baptism as the sacrament that makes us children of God. Baptism delivers the gracious gifts of God: forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and eternal salvation--to all who believe this. For a wonderful explanation of Holy Baptism--whether you are a lifelong Lutheran or new to Lutheranism, we invite you to read Lutheranism 101: Holy Baptism (CPH).