The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1917, Page 10

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

delivers from death and Satan’s power, the conse-
quences of sin (1 Cor. 15, 55—57). It also fol-
lows that it gives eternal salvation. Peter writes:
“In the ark few, that is, eight souls, were’ saved
by water. The like figure whereunto even Bap-
tism doth also now save us.” The water which de-
stroyed the unbelievers “in the days of Noah” saved
him and his family. While it devoured the others,
it safely carried the ark. And as the water then
was the means of temporal salvation, so Baptism
by water now, according to our -text. is a means

There is a difference between the Gospel and
the Lord’s Supper on the one hand, and Baptism
on the other hand. While only people that have
arrived at a certain age can be taught the Gospel,
and while only those that are old enough to examine
themselves are able to commune worthily, also the
little ones, even infants, can be washed. Hence
they should not be excluded from Baptism. ‘They
also are in need thereof (John 3, 5. 6); Christ’s
promises are meant for them also (Mark 10,
13—15): they, too, are able to believe (Matt.

Village Basketmakers at Work in India.

whereby Christ gives us eternal salvation, which
‘He purchased for us on the cross.

All these benefits of Baptism of course cannot
be received without faith. Christ says: “He that
, believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” Bap-
tism, however, has the power of working faith in
man, thus making him a child of God, for it is
written: “Ye are all the children of God by faith
in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (by faith).
By working faith in us, Baptism imparts to us a
new, spiritual life; hence St. Paul calls it the

b washing of regeneration (new birth) and renewing
_ of the Holy Ghost. :

18, 6). All nations, to which also little children
belong, should be baptized, as the Lord plainly com-
mands, Adults that are no Christians should first
be instructed in the Gospel, and when they confess
their faith in Christ, baptized (see Mark 16, 16;
Acts 8, 35-38; Acts 10, 44—48).

The Greek word for “baptized” used in the New
‘Testament does not merely mean to immerse, as the
Baptists claim, but has a wider signification. Jt
means, to apply water by washing, pouring, sprin-
kling, or immersing (Mark 7%, 4; Acts 22, 163
Matt. 3, 11).

When the child is immersed, it is buried in the

water; when the water is poured or sprinkled on ~

SM

——s —_ SS