Tuesday of Trinity IV - Devotion in semi-Exile

Lection for Tuesday after Trinity IV 
Judges 2:6-23      Acts 13:13-41

I was asked a question the other day by someone who was/is not a Lutheran. I thought I would take a few moments today to answer the question they asked.

Question: Does the Bible teach that we go to heaven because we are baptized as a baby?

Answer: I don't know what prompted this question, but I am guessing that it has to do with the fact that some people are baptized as children and fall away from that faith into which they are baptized. Some would claim that children shouldn't therefore be baptized. Others feel that once someone is baptized, then they have heaven as a guarantee, that if one is baptized, they automatically go to heaven.

First, baptism is commanded by Christ Himself as we read in the 28th Chapter of Matthew. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." (Matt. 28:18-19 ESV) All nations are included, not just the old, not just when they reach a certain age, but 'all' nations. In Luke 18:15-17, Christ specifically invites little children to Him.

Secondly, baptism gives specific gifts. It gives the forgiveness of sins. And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." (Acts 2:38-39 ESV) As we can also see in this text, it is not only forgiveness for adults, but all for the children. Of course, there are some who say that children are innocent and do not need to be forgiven.  This we know to be untrue for forgiveness is a gift that even infants need, for they are born in sin. God made Adam in His image (Gen. 1:26-27 and other verses), and Adam made children in his image, the fallen image, corrupted by sin (Gen. 5:1-3). If we need further proof, the Psalmist speaks the truth God places upon his lips when he wrote the 51st Psalm, Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. (Psalm 51:5 ESV)

Baptism also gives salvation, as Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16 KJV) It gives us Christ Himself, we are baptized into His death and resurrection, granting us power over death and the devil, as we read in Romans. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Rom. 6:3-5 ESV)

There we can see that God indeed gives great gifts with baptism, gifts He intends for all people, not just adults. Furthermore, we can see that baptism is not our work, but God's work. It isn't just simple water, but that water comprehended in Christ's command and connected with God's Wordwhich brings about the bestowing of these incredible gifts.

At issue here is also whether or not children, especially infants can have faith. We know that John the Baptist had faith in the womb of his mother when He heard the Word of God (Luke 1:41-44), leaping for joy. That Word of God works incredible miracles, even raising men from the dead.

Of course, it raises another question, just because somebody is baptized, does that mean they will automatically go to heaven? Jesus says this, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16 KJV) The Bible teaches that faith is necessary for salvation and entrance into heaven. People may be baptized and fall away from the faith. Our sinful flesh is constantly struggling to gain control. We can see from the parable of the sower and the seed that faith can come and go very quickly (Matt. 13:1-9, 18-23).

One way to look at it is like your physical health, you have also spiritual health. For good physical health, you would never stop eating. You need food to remain healthy. In the same way, for strong faith (spiritual health) you need your faith fed and nourished. God has set His church on earth to provide sustenance that builds faith - His Word and Sacraments build faith. It is Christ who is author and perfecter of faith. He begins it and He builds and keeps it. When those who have begun the walk of faith by baptism fail to be where Christ comes to build faith, that faith can shrivel and die - it can starve to death. When such happens to the end of life, that someone has no faith - there is no heaven.

As a Lutheran, baptism isn't a one time thing. My baptism is what I live in each day. It reminds me of who called me by name and made me His child. What baptism delivers and promises is my sure foundation as I look to it to remind me of what is mine - I have been united to Christ's death, the forgiveness of sins He purchased is given to me. I live my life returning to the waters of baptism in daily repentance, remembering that promise of sins forgiven.

Let us Pray:     Merciful Father, through Holy Baptism You call us to be Your own possession. Grant that our lives may evidence the working of Your Holy Spirit in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, according to the image of Your only begotten Son - into whom we are baptized - Jesus Christ, our Savior. Amen.