Waiting Witnesses “And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Acts 1:4-5 The narratives of the Scriptures show...

Beloved by God – Baptized and Justified “And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17             One of the most clear demonstrations of Lutheran theology is the baptism of an infant.  Thereby, we practice and preach the clear Gospel that we...

The Full Circle of Baptisms and Funerals “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”   1 Peter 3:21 The gifts given in Holy Baptism are...

The Seal of Baptism – God’s Name “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 One of my favorite “tools”...