THE FAMILY ALTAR (Lutheran)

June 16.

In giving His command to baptize, the Lord Jesus does not

command us to observe any particular mode of baptism. As long

as water is applied, be it by dipping or sprinkling or pouring, in

the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,

it constitutes a valid baptism. Those are wrong, therefore, who

declare only such baptism to be Christian Baptism by which a

person is immersed or dipped under the water. The apostles were

baptized with the Holy Ghost on Pentecost Day. But how? By

the Holy Ghost being poured out upon them. We furthermore

have proof that the apostles themselves did not baptize by im-

mersion alone, but also by our common mode of pouring water

on the head. This proof is established by the historic document

known as The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, which probably

dates from the later apostolic age, about the beginning of the

second century. Again, when Baptists object to the baptism of

children, because Christ did not expressly command it, we must

answer them, that neither did He expressly command women to

be baptized. But He does command to baptize all nations, and

thus includes the women and children. Neither does their objec-

tion hold good that little children cannot believe and therefore

should not be baptized. In Baptism the Holy Ghost is shed on

us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, St. Paul says,

Titus, chapter third. He justifies also our sin-born children in

Baptism by His grace, and makes them heirs according to the

hope of eternal life. (Titus 3, 7.) The inspired apostle certainly

knows more about the work of the Holy Spirit in Baptism than

any of us know. Let no one, therefore, deprive his little child

of Christian Baptism, but let him bring it to the saving font

where the Triune God makes it His cjiild and an heir of ever-

lasting life.

At Jesus' feet our infant sweet

We lay with all its stain,

That renders it for heav'n unmeet

Until 'tis born again:

We here embrace His proffered grace

In this baptismal wave,

Nor shall the world our trust efface —

The bath its soul will save.