Baptism is one of the Sacraments set up by Jesus. Baptism is a very simple act. To “baptize” means to apply water to
a person in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for forgiveness and salvation.
In Baptism, God washes us clean from all the guilt we were born with, and from all the sins we have committed or will commit. Through Baptism, God makes us new people. We are born again as his children to live a new life. We become members of his family.
The water used in Baptism is ordinary water, and it makes no difference how the water is applied – whether by sprinkling, washing, pouring, or immersing. Jesus gave no directions about this. Baptism is not water only, but it is water used together with God’s Word and by his command.
After his death and resurrection, Jesus commanded his followers: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). He thereby “instituted” or established the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.
In Baptism God forgives sin, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe what he has promised. For daily living, Baptism means that our sinful self, with all its evil deeds and desires, should be drowned through daily repentance; and that day after day a new self should arise to live with God in righteousness and purity forever.
