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This is the blog of the Campus Ministry of the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa.
This ministry is provided by the pastors and congregations of the Westgate Circuit of the Iowa District East of the LCMS.
Pastor Ronnie Koch is the Blogger and Supervising Pastor of the Campus Ministry.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Notes on Large Catechism -- Baptism


A Study of
Luther's Large Catechism


as found in Concordia: the Lutheran Confessions, A Reader's Edition of the Book of Concord edited by Paul Timothy McCain, Second Edition, Concordia Publishing House, © 2006.

Those in the Ark were saved by water. Genesis 7 & 8
engraving by Gustave Dore

All Who Believe and Are Baptized
By: Thomas H. Kingo

All who believe and are baptized
Shall see the Lord's salvation;
Baptized into the death of Christ,
They are anew creation;
Through Christ's redemption they will stand
Among the glorious heavenly band
Of every tribe and nation.

With one accord, O God, we pray,
Grant us your Holy Spirit;
Help us in our infirmity
Through Jesus' blood and merit;
Grant us to grow in grace each day
By holy Baptism that we may 
Eternal life inherit.

1st Published in: 1689


Read in the Large Catechism Part 4 BAPTISM pages 423 to the top of page 428 in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions.

1.                  In paragraph #1, Luther says that without the sacraments a person "cannot be a Christian". How can Luther make such a bold statement about the sacraments? (Hint: for baptism in particular, see #23-24)


2.    What will help us trust in baptism without doubting, according to paragraphs #3-6


3,         3.  People think of Baptism as being just an external and therefore optional act.  What makes it priceless and precious? (#8)


4.         4. Who baptized you?  (#10)

  
5.         5. You may want to underline or highlight St. Augustine's definition of a sacrament. (#18)


6.        What is the one reason God instituted baptism?  (#24 and 1 Peter 3:21)

  
7.     What comfort can you find in Acts  2:37-38?

      Does Peter's command here, "Repent and be baptized." imply that youa re saved by a work you do? Why or why not? (#36)

8.                  What comfort can you find in John 3:3-5? (See also #25)


9.                  How should Christians use their Baptism?  (#44)

  
Read in the Large Catechism Infant Baptism pages 104 to 109 and answer the following questions:

1.                  What is one piece of evidence that God is pleased with infant baptism?

 2.                  Some might say that infant baptism is invalid because infants don't believe.  How is this a mistaken sentiment? (#53 & 55)

 3.                  In paragraph #60-63, Luther hits on the real reason why some have difficulty accepting infant baptism.

 4.                  What does Luther refer to as a 3rd sacrament?  (#74) How is it related to baptism?





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