Baptism
About Baptism
Holy Baptism is the sacrament of initiation into the Christian community of faith. A return to Baptism and renewal of Baptism remains central throughout a Christian's life. Through Baptism, we are all ordained to ministry in Christ's name.
Luther's Small Catechism says the following about Baptism:
Q. What is Baptism?
A. Baptism is not simply plain water. Instead, it is water used according to God's command and connected with God's Word.
Q. What, then, is this Word of God?
A. Where our Lord Jesus Christ says in Matthew 28:19: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Q. What gifts or benefits does Baptism grant?
A. It brings about forgiveness of sins, redeems from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe it, as the Word and promise of God declare.
Q. What is this Word and promise of God?
A. Where our Lord Jesus Christ says in Mark 16:16, "The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe it will be condemned."
Q. How can water do such great things?
A. Clearly the water does not do it, but the Word of God, which is with, in, and among the water, and faith, which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without the Word of God, the water is plain water and not a baptism, but with the Word of God, it is a baptism, that is, grace-filled water of life and a 'bath of the new birth in the Holy Spirit.' As St. Paul says to Titus in 3:5-8, "He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This Spirit he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is sure."
Q. What then is the significance of such a Baptism with water?
A. It signifies that the old person in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned through daily sorrow for sin and repentance, and that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.
Q. Where is this written?
A. St. Paul says in Romans 6:3-4, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life."
Baptism at Advent Lutheran Church
Baptism is offered frequently at Advent Lutheran Church. The scheduling of Baptisms is at the discretion of the pastor. Because Baptism is a sacramental act of the whole community of faith, Advent Lutheran Church does not offer private Baptisms (except in emergency circumstances).
Adults prepare for Baptism by taking Discovery Class and meeting with Pastor Warner.
Parents have the privilege of inviting baptismal sponsors to support their child in the journey of faith. Baptismal sponsors should be active in their own Christian faith and prepared to promise faithfulness in praying for their godchild and encouraging them in the life of faith.
For both adult and infant Baptism, a preparation session for the parents and sponsors or godparents is required. This normally takes place the day before the Baptism and lasts about one hour.
To schedule a Baptism, please fill out a baptism form, which can be picked up at the church office or requested at office@advent-lutheran.org. Return this form to the office at least two weeks before the Baptism is to take place.
To discuss a Baptism, please contact Pastor Anita Warner at pastorw@advent-lutheran.org or by telephone at 408-779-3551.