nature of Baptism
What is Baptism?
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and Combined with God's word.
What great and precious things are given in Baptism?
Works the forgiveness of sins, rescues from the devil, gives eternal salvation.
How can water do such great things?
Certianly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God's word the water is plain water and no baptism. but with the word of God it is a baptism, that is a life giving water, rich in grace and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit.
the Old Adam is the corrupt and evil nature that we inherit because of Adam's fall into sin.
What is confession
Confession has two parts, First that we confess our sins.
second that we receive absolution, that is forgiveness from the pastor as from God Himself, not doubting but firmly believing that by it our sins our forgiven before God in heaven.
What is that word of God?
Christ our Lord says inn the last chapter of Matthew: "Therefor go and make disciples of call nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt.28:19
If Christ has already won forgiveness and salvation 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)
How does baptismal water work forgiveness of sins, rescue from death and the devil, and give eternal salvation
God's words of institution put these great blessings into Baptism. Faith which trusts this word of God in the water takes the blessings out and makes them our own.
The Old Adam is to be drowned by daily contrition (sorrow for sins) and repentance (faith), by which we resist and overcome evil desires.
What sins should we confess before God
All sins like we do in the Lord's Prayer.
What does the word baptize mean?
Baptize means to apply water by immersing, washing, pouring, and the like.
Baptism gives all these blessings to all who believe God's saving promises.
Why do the scriptures call Baptism the washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit?
In Baptism, the Holy Spirit works faith and so creates in us new spiritual life with the power to overcome sin.
What is the new man?
the new man is the new spiritual life and nature, created in us by the washing of rebirth.
What sins should we confess before our neighbor
All sins that we have committed against him or her.
Who instituted Hoy Baptism?
Jesus
Is it possible for an unbaptized person to be saved?
It is only unbelief that condemns. Faith cannot exist in the heart of a person who despises and rejects baptism against better knowledge. But those who believe the Gospel, yet die before they have opportunity to be baptized are not condemned.
Why are babies to be baptized
Included in all nations, Jesus invites the little children to him, as sinners babies need what Baptism offers.
How does Baptism indicate the daily drowning of the Old Adam and the emergence of the new man?
What sins are we encouraged to confess privately before our pastor or confessor?
before the pastor or confessor we confess this sins which we know and feel in our hearts, especially those that trouble us.
Who is to be baptized?
all nations
Why are we not to seek a baptism of the Holy Spirit in addition to the sacrament of Holy Baptism?
There is no other God-given baptism today besides the sacrament of Holy Baptism; Baptism is a water and spirit Baptism,
special signs granted by the Holy Spirit were not another baptism, but proved the truth of the power of the apostles teaching.
How many times should a Christian be baptized?
once
With what words do we regularly remember our Baptism
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
can we be forced to make private confession to the pastor?
no