Martin Luther and Baptism
I stumbled across this quotation while studying the origin of baptism:
To put it most simply, the power, effect, benefit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is to save. No one is baptized in order to become a prince, but as the words say, to “be saved”. To be saved, we know, is nothing else than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil and to enter into the kingdom of Christ and live with him forever.
– Luther’s Large Catechism, 1529
As I have written previously, baptism does not make sense to me if it is not part of the salvation process. Martin Luther apparent thought the same thing.
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Your Thoughts
6 Comments so far6 Responses to “Martin Luther and Baptism”
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Joe
November 19, 2008 at 2:56 pm
You read a statement like that, and it sounds like there is a grasp of what baptism is all about on his part….and then he goes and then teaches infant baptism.
Laron
November 20, 2008 at 3:07 pm
There is a good article written by Everett Ferguson, PhD Harvard, Professor of Church History Emeritus at Abilene Christian University, on baptism. Just search for “Everett Ferguson: Baptism in the Patristic Period” on the Web.
Also, he has a book coming out Dec. 29,2008, called “Baptism in the Early Church: History, Theology, and Liturgy in the First Five Centuries”. You can pre-order on Amazon.
I’ve read some of his books, and I also recommend the book called “The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today”.
For me, Everett seems to be a very good read (although, a little deep for me sometimes…I have to have a dictionary handy) since he leaves the spin out of his books…nothing but meat(my opinion).
You might already know all this, but I just thought I’d lay it out there.
Now, I personally prefer four study bibles when preparing a lesson, which are:
1. NASB Study Bible by Zondervan
2. ESV ‘The Reformation Study Bible’
3. Life Applications Study Bible, NASB
4. Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, NASB
I’m just a layman, but I have to teach (and sometimes preach), so, I’m always looking for a good study bible when I have time….any advice on Study Bibles is welcome.
Thanks,
Laron
Laron
November 21, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I’m new at posting stuff.
Who put the grim face on my post? &
Why the grim face?
Joe
November 21, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Laron,
If you look at the bottom of the comment form you will see the following…
“Note: We use Gravatars, they are little icons that appear next to your name on this site and on many others. You can get a Gravatar account for free and any other site that supports it will show your avatar too!”
So if you want a cool picture feel free to go and get one by creating a free account on http://www.gravatar.com/
It had nothing to do with your post trust me ;-)
Joe
November 21, 2008 at 8:15 pm
By the way, some may disagree but the NLT Study Bible aint all that bad plus you get a translation that doesn’t sound like a NKJ variation.
Brent Kercheville
November 22, 2008 at 7:37 am
Laron,
Thanks for the book info. I am always looking for more historical material concerning different biblical doctrines. I will have to see if I can get my hands on that book.