“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Lutherans believe that the Bible teaches that a person is saved by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone. The Bible tells us that such faith comes by hearing. Jesus Himself commands Baptism and tells us that Baptism is water used together with the Word of God (Matt 28:19-20). Based on these writings, we believe that Baptism is one of the miraculous means of grace through which God creates and/or strengthens the gift of faith in a person’s heart. Baptism, for the believer, is a one-time only act which lasts for a lifetime and leads one to everlasting life.
Terms the Bible uses to talk about the beginning of faith include “conversion” and regeneration”. Although we do not claim to understand how this happens, we believe that when an infant is baptized God creates faith in the heart of that infant. Baptism dare not be despised or willfully neglected, since it is explicitly commanded by God and has His precious promises attached to it. It is not a mere “ritual” or “symbol,” but a powerful means of grace by which God grants faith and the forgiveness of sins.
If you would like to know more about us or our beliefs concerning Holy Baptism, contact Pastor or go to Luther’s Small Catechism, sub menu: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism.