Lesson 47

What does Baptism mean for us every day of our lives?

What new attitude did God work in us when we were baptized? Romans 6:2-4a,11a By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death…In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin… I died and was buried with Christ to sin

What new attitude did God work in us when we were baptized? Romans 6:4b,5b,10b,11b …in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life…we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection…the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves…alive to God in Christ Jesus. I was raised with Christ to a new life

Key Point #1 Through Baptism, I died and rose with Christ, that is, God gave me the desire to have nothing to do with sin anymore but to live a new life.

Look at the Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer on p Look at the Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer on p.16 in Luther’s Catechism. Knowing the importance of remembering and reliving our Baptisms every day, why do you think Martin Luther suggested starting both prayers with the words “In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?”

Few Lutheran Christians today are baptized by immersion Few Lutheran Christians today are baptized by immersion. However, if we had been baptized that way, of what could it remind us, according to the verses of Romans 6 we looked at earlier?

What, then, do our Baptisms remind us to do every day? Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. put off the old self put on the new self

What, then, do our Baptisms remind us to do every day? Romans 6:2,12-13a By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness… get rid of all sinful desires and actions

What, then, do our Baptisms remind us to do every day? Romans 6:13b-14 …but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. offer ourselves to God and live to serve him

Key Point #2 Our Baptisms remind us to put off the old sinful way of living and to put on the new holy way of living.

Each of us could, as a pastor once suggested, take a bar of soap and trace a cross on the mirror the first time we look at ourselves in the morning. That way we could see ourselves as “crucified with Christ.” Do you think that’s a good idea? Why or why not?

Search the Hymnal… On which pages is the order for Holy Baptism found? Where on those pages does it say that confessing our sins and receiving God’s forgiveness “is nothing else than a reliving of Baptism?” Where on those pages is Martin Luther’s explanation of what Baptism means for us every day?

We will never be done reliving our Baptisms. Agree or Disagree? We will never be done reliving our Baptisms.

John wondered which half of him was his old self and which half was his new self. How would you explain it to him?

The Formula of Concord, one of the Lutheran Confessions, describes the old self figuratively as “an unmanageable, recalcitrant donkey” (Thorough Declaration, VI,24). What does recalcitrant mean? Explain the whole metaphor in your own words.

How do I put off the old self and put on the new self every day? Psalm 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. U being sorry for my sin (contrition)

How do I put off the old self and put on the new self every day? Psalm 32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. U trusting God’s forgiveness (repentance)

How do I put off the old self and put on the new self every day? Romans 6:17-18 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. U thanking God for the blessings of Baptism

Key Point #3 I put off the old self daily by contrition and repentance, and I put on the new self out of thanks to God.

Martin Luther once wrote, “This life is nothing but a mortification of the old Adam” (What Luther Says, #700). What does the word mortification mean? How, in your own words, does mortification of the old Adam take place?

Brenda says to you, “I hardly ever think about my Baptism, but it doesn’t seem to matter. I still live a good Christian life.” How might you respond?

Randy said his parents and sponsors never talked with him about his Baptism. That is why he didn’t recall it very often. What do you think of his reasoning? Why do you think that?

Agree or Disagree? It would be better to be baptized as an adult than as a child; that way it would be easier to remember one’s Baptism.

Which hymns are for and about Baptism? Search the Hymnal… Which hymns are for and about Baptism? Find a hymn that talks about being baptized into Christ’s death, dying with Christ, and/or being raised with Christ. Copy the prayer on p.10 entitled “Remembrance of Baptism.”

If our Baptisms have meaning for every single day of our lives, does that perhaps suggest a good location for the baptismal font in the church. Where shouldn’t it be put?

Lesson 47 My Baptism reminds me to put off the old, sinful way of living and to put on the new, holy way of living every day.

Vocabulary… “Contrition” sorrow over sin

trust in God’s forgiveness Vocabulary… “Repentance” trust in God’s forgiveness

the sinful nature in us that rebels against God Vocabulary… “Old Adam” the sinful nature in us that rebels against God

the new creation in us through faith that wants to obey God Vocabulary… “New Man” the new creation in us through faith that wants to obey God