The Truth about Baptism, Part I

WALKING IN THE TRUTH

Today's Scripture

"Then the eleven disciple went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven & on earth has been given to Me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:16-20

Today's Devotional Thoughts

Here is a passage that is key to the scriptural understanding of Baptism. Jesus--the Way, the Truth, & the Life--uses His authority to command us, His disciples of all times & ages, to go into all the world & make disciples. How?

• We are to baptize.
• We are to teach all that He has commanded us.

We baptize in the name of the Holy Trinity. We teach the Gospel that through Jesus Christ alone we have forgiveness & salvation. Baptism confers upon us the forgiveness & salvation that Christ won for us on the cross. It is not the water alone [which may sound familiar if you were confirmed in a Lutheran church]. It is the water connected to God's Word, the source of our faith, the authority for all we believe.

Today's Prayer

We praise You, O Lord, for the living waters of Baptism, by which we are forgiven & saved. For those among us who may not yet believe in You as Lord & Savior, let Your Holy Spirit work in their hearts that they may yet receive You & become a child of God. We pray in the name of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. Amen.