Baptism at St. Mark

First, What is Baptism?
  • Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s Word.

    Baptism means to apply water by immersing, washing, pouring, and the like.  In baptism, your child will have water poured over them.  But this is not just plain water, for the Word of God in Matthew 28 reads, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  Since it is connected with God’s Word, it does something.  It is no mere symbol!
Second, What benefits does Baptism give?
  • It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

    We consider Baptism to be a sacrament.  A sacrament is a sacred or holy act that is instituted by God, has a visible element (in this case, water) and by which God offers, gives, and seals the forgiveness of sins that was earned by Christ.
  1. It works the forgiveness of sins,
    It may seem odd that we are saying your child needs to have their sins forgiven.  God’s Word declares that everyone is born a sinner (Psalm 51:5) and that “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” (Rom. 3:10b-12)  Because Jesus has taken upon Himself God’s punishment for our sins, in Holy Baptism, your child is connected with Christ and the forgiveness of sins that was accomplished at the cross.  Your child is washed clean by Holy Baptism.
  2. It rescues from death and the devil
    In this world, there is no middle ground between heaven and hell.  All those who do not have faith and live in Christ belong to the devil.  The weight of their sin is still upon them and the price to be paid for their sin is eternal separation from God.  No matter what you or your child does to try and save themselves, everyone fails.  It is only through God’s grace that eternal death and the devil are defeated.
  3. It gives eternal salvation
    God has chosen this simple washing to apply His grace to His people.  Titus 3:5 reads, “according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”  Jesus reminds us of the power of this promise in Mark 16 where we read, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”.  This one time Baptism is good for life since it is God that does the work of saving us.  We can however turn from our baptism and lose these great gifts.
Third, How can water do such great things?
  • Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water.

    It sounds like a fairy tale which is too good to be true.  A little bit of water and your child is saved from sin, death, and the devil?  But this is exactly what God has done all throughout history.  When Israel was trapped by Pharaoh's army, God used the waters of the Red Sea to save them.  When Naaman had leprosy, the prophet Elisha told him to wash in the Jordan River.  Naaman did and was cured.  St. Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians, “Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,” (5:26)
Fourth, What does such baptizing with water indicate?
  • It indicates that the Old Adam in us should by daily contrition and repentance be drowned and die with all sins and evil desires, and that a new man should daily emerge and arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

    As was stated earlier, in Baptism, we are connected to the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Rom. 6).  It would be nice if Holy Baptism would make you (or your child) into a perfect being.  Unfortunately, while we are still in this world we will always continue to sin.  That is why we live a daily life of repentance and forgiveness.  As you grow in Christ, we continue to ask God’s forgiveness as we sin each day. As you raise your child, you will no doubt teach your child how to say, “Forgive me”, when they don’t play nicely or say hurtful things.  In much the same way, as you teach your child the faith, he or she will learn to ask God’s forgiveness when they commit sin and receive His forgiveness.
Summary
God has given you the wonderful task of  raising your child in the Christian faith.  Baptism is the first step in a lifelong journey with Christ as the center.  A major part of that is continued worship.  In the Divine Service, we are reminded of our Baptism in the opening Invocation.  It is here where both you and your child will grow, learn, and receive the continued strength needed to remain in the Christian faith.

It is our joy and honor to assist you in walking with God and the nurture of your child. 
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The Rite of Baptism

  • Invocation — In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
  • Baptismal Address — This gives us the institution of baptism, and what it does for your child.  It makes them a disciple of the Lord and they receive all of its benefits.
  • Giving of the name — Names have meaning and in baptism God is putting His Name on your child as belonging to Him.
  • The sign of the cross — All of the benefits baptism gives your child are because of Christ’s cross.  Many Christians throughout their lives will continue to make the sign of the cross recognizing their life and salvation because of it.
  • Prayer
  • Address to Sponsors — Your child is being baptized into a new family, the Church.  Sponsors promise to raise the child in the faith as taught in the Evangelical Lutheran Church should the parents not be unable to do such. Others may serve as “witnesses” to the baptism and are included in the ceremony but have a different responsibility than a sponsor.
  • Gospel Reading — Here we tell what God has done for mankind, especially your child.
  • Lord’s Prayer
  • Renunciation of the devil/Apostle’s Creed — In this section, the devil, God’s enemy is renounced as is his power over your child.  Your child is being brought into the kingdom of light from darkness and your child’s faith is confessed.
  • The Baptism — Here is where the Name of God is invoked and your child receives the new birth of water and the Spirit.
  • Candle — This candle is a reminder to show that your child has received the Light of the world, Christ.  Your child is to live in the light as He is in the light.  Your child is to be taught always to be watchful for the return of our Lord and Savior.
  • Welcome — You or your child is welcomed into the church as a member of God’s family.
  • Closing Prayer
 Sunday Worship: 8:15AM & 10:30AM
Current Office Hours are M | W | F from 9:30am-2:30pm.
Please call 330-225-3110 to ensure someone is in the office before stopping by.