The History, Doctrine and Discipline of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1818. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ARTICLE IX. OF BAPTISM. We teach that baptism is necessary, and that grace is thereby offered, and that children are to be baptised, who are by such baptism dedicated to God and made pleasing to him. We therefore cannot agree with those, who reject'infant baptism. Baptism is not mere water, but it is that water, which the ordinance of God enjoins, and which is connected with God's word. Lutheran catechism. Again, baptism is an holy sacrament and a divine token, that God the Father, together with the on and the Holy Ghost, certifies, that he will be a merciful God to the baptised person, and pardon all his sins out of pure me cy, for Christ's sake, and receive him as his child, and an heir of heavenly blessings. Ibidem. Again, baptism assures us of God's grace, of forgiveness of sins, of adoption into the family of God, and of the inheritance of eternal life, under the condition, that we renounce the devil and ull his works, the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, and all the sinful lusts of the flesh, and strive to believe and serve God as long as we live. Ibidem. NOTES. .#1. In baptism we enter into a covenant with God. He promises to be our Father for Christ's sake, and to grant us his Holy Spirit, in order to guide us into the ways of truth and holiness; and we promise to become his dutiful children. As long as we fulfil our part of the contract or covenant, we may be assured that God's promises will stand firm. 2 Baptism is considered by the Lutheran Church, its the washing of regeneration; thus Paul calls it, Tit. 3, 5. We therefore find that in the primitive church, baptism and regeneration were used as synonimous terms. The Jews, when they baptised heathens, who became proselytes to them, considered them, when baptised, as regenerated, that is...