The Stuff of Jesus: Baptism 3.

But here the devil is busy to delude us with false appearances, and lead us away from the work of God to our own works. For there is a much more splendid appearance when a Carthusian does many great and difficult works; and we all think much more of that which we do and merit ourselves. But the Scriptures teach thus: Even though we collect in one mass the works of all the monks, however splendidly they may shine, they would not be as noble and good as if God should pick up a straw. Why? Because the person is nobler and better. Here, then, we must not estimate the person according to the works, but the works according to the person, from whom they must derive their nobility. But insane reason will not regard this, and because Baptism does not shine like the works which we do, it is to be esteemed as nothing.*

In the above section of his Large Catechism Dr Luther uses an example of a group of monks to end all monks due to the severity in their practices. The monks lived as hermits in reaction to the degeneracy in the church of the day. The chief monastery was located north of Grenoble France. What made this order so special is they would go out of their way to not interact with other monks to the point that if one was dying no one would care for him. The works of the monks are admired by the monks and some others as great acts for God.

This is the way many in our evangelical and reformed congregations treat baptism. The evangelical will claim it is their work and therefore it cannot save as scripture proclaims so clearly. In our reformed it is taught that it is the work of the visible church to make members out sinners. It is taught to deliver some grace but it is quickly taken back due in part to the doctrine of limited atonement. In both instances due to it being the work of man St Peter’s proclamation in his first epistle is reevaluated so that there is no salvation at all.

1 Peter 3:21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him. ESV

To deny the powerful gift of baptism and make it a pitiful work of man robs it of the firm promise that one can look to in struggles on this fallen world. This promise of salvation, apprehended by faith, indeed justifies us. Since it is Jesus’ work for us we are not claiming any of the credit for this benefit so that the salvation is still all about Jesus’ death and resurrection. Jesus has determined to both locate and deliver the benefits of his cross and resurrection in baptism. Instead of trying to snatch this gift away from Jesus let us believe this good news and live in the peace it gives.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. †

*Large Catechism of Martin Luther.

The RAsburry Patch: Blessed Easter - from President Matthew Harrison

The RAsburry Patch: Blessed Easter - from President Matthew Harrison

Jesus, Our Mercy Seat.

Leviticus 16:12 And he shall take a censer full of coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and he shall bring it inside the veil 13 and put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is over the testimony, so that he does not die. ESV

Wow, the covering of the Ark of the Covenant was serious business! One had to have it covered by smoke or he would be killed. The covering of the ark, and the blood sprinkled on it, was the propitiation for the people of Israel. This was bloody business. Both a bull and a goat were sacrificed, and the blood of both were for the sins of the people. This happened during the Day of Atonement which happened once a year. In addition to the sacrifice of the bull and goat, a live goat was also required. Aaron would place both hands on the goat confessing the sins of the people and send the goat into the wilderness. Even after all that, the work is not done, because a ritual cleansing was also ordered by the Lord.

Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. ESV

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus shed his blood to form a new and better covenant. No animal sacrifice is needed; no goat being released to run into the wilderness; no threat of death to any man serving God. Jesus became our high priest and gave His life on the cross to make us right with God. The laws' requirements are covered by the fact that our Lord has become the mercy seat, the propitiation, for all our sins. This happens for a person whether or not he or she believes. Apart from faith in the finished work of Jesus, one does not receive these benefits. Such a tragedy when one refuses the only salvation provided; their eternal death is so unnecessary since their sin debt has been paid in full.

1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. ESV

Since the shed blood of Jesus has atoned for our sins, let us let go of them after confessing them and realize the books are balanced. Our Father, in His wonderful grace, will not hold us accountable for our sin, so we have no need living under the guilt in our minds. In His mercy, He will not reward us with eternal death, but through faith we receive the right to be called children of God and have an eternity of life awaiting us. Let us believe this good news and live in the peace it gives.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. †

The Stuff of Jesus: Baptism 2.

Acts 4:11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. ESV

We see clearly that in the name of God, in the name of Jesus, there is salvation. When a person is baptized into the name of the Triune God there is salvation. This is so painfully clear one wonders why it is so hard for some to come to understand. They maintain baptism is the Christian’s work to show loyalty to Jesus and make a profession of faith in him for salvation. There is a dearth of scripture that teaches that fact so it is merely church tradition once again, wrongly, being placed over and against clear scripture.

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. ESV

For to be baptized in the name of God is to be baptized not by men, but by God Himself. Therefore, although it is performed by human hands, it is nevertheless truly God's own work. From this fact every one may himself readily infer that it is a far higher work than any work performed by a man or a saint. For what work greater than the work of God can we do?*

Baptism is not man’s work whatsoever. Nor is it the invention of man. Jesus uses the hands and the voice of the minister to apply the water and to invoke the name of God. However, it is clearly Jesus doing the baptism. Jesus has located the delivery of the fruit of the cross in the preached word and in baptism. He cleanses his church and makes it to his sight without spot or wrinkle no matter what sin captivates the heart and mind of the baptized believer. Rather than rejoicing in the sin like the unbeliever he or she will be granted repentance in the same Triune name of God. These are strong and precious promises given to us in God’s word. Jesus has given us such a wonderful gift in baptism that no matter what the world, our own sinful flesh or the devil says or does we remain able to tell them “I am baptized!” Let us believe this good news and live in the peace it gives.

In the name of Jesus. Amen. †

* The Large Catechism of Martin Luther.

The Stuff of Jesus: Baptism.

Today, as in the day of Martin Luther, Christians have mistaken to whom the sacrament of Holy Baptism belongs. You will hear “I was baptized in a ___________ Church.” or “I was baptized as a witness to the world of my faith in Jesus.” These totally miss the point of who instituted baptism and the purpose of the sacrament. There is only one baptism in the Triune name of God. That is Christian baptism which does not depend on the name of the congregation in which it is administered.

In the first place, we must above all things know well the words upon which Baptism is founded, and to which everything refers that is to be said on the subject, namely, where the Lord Christ speaks in Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.*

Likewise in St. Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.*

In these words you must note, in the first place, that here stand God's commandment and institution, lest we doubt that Baptism is divine, not devised nor invented by men. For as truly as I can say, No man has spun the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer out of his head, but they are revealed and given by God Himself, so also I can boast that Baptism is no human trifle, but instituted by God Himself, moreover, that it is most solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we cannot be saved, lest any one regard it as a trifling matter, like putting on a new red coat.*

In this section Martin Luther recaptures baptism and places it back in the realm of Jesus things rather than man’s things done for Jesus. This changes, of course, what one believes about baptism and its effectiveness as a means of grace. If it were merely the work of men we could not look at it for assurance of our standing as children of God.

Rather than looking for ways to wrestle with scripture to make baptism our work we should rather believe scriptures strong teaching. Leaving baptism to be the stuff of Jesus we can live in the peace and certainty it gives.

In the name of Jesus. Amen †


*Martin Luther’s Large Catechism

Shine Jesus Shine!

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
ESV

The light of the world is Jesus! He is not merely a light like that we have so much in our modern society. Take a drive out into the country at night away from the artificial lights of the city. We return to some of what the people in the day of Jesus experienced at night. In that darkness that one can almost feel and taste a small flame off a match will seem like daytime. The darkness is not of the absence of light but more of the reaction of people to challenges of life. Our bent is toward acting in a way contrary to God’s law and will. This is why we need Jesus because he fulfilled the laws requirements and this is given to us graciously.

Such is the darkness in our world. On every hand we see the sinfulness of man in his cruelty to his fellow man. Death always seems to be the answer. It does not seem to matter if the person is too young or too old and ill to care for him or herself the answer is always death to the world. Christ have mercy. Help us good Lord as your children to be people who honor life as a gift from you and value it no matter the age or capabilities of the person.

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. ESV

Ok I get it. That is the cause of all the fuss around Christmas. Atheists and others are so offended at nativity scenes and work feverishly to rid themselves of them. The world does not know Jesus and has no use for him. But to those who know him he is the older brother which hung on a cross as his throne on a fallen world. He was also buried and resurrected for our sin. He did all that so we have the right to become children of God in him.

In the name of Jesus. Amen †

Shut Up!

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, a roadmap to get to heaven, or a guidebook for successful living etc. These are a few phrases I have heard when people tell you what they think about the bible. You got it! They are all based upon a law only understanding of scripture.

Romans 3:19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. ESV

So there we have it! This is the purpose of the law. It is not to be able to raise perfect children, have a winning soccer team or have a marriage free of stress. The law tells us to shut up! How rude! God does not want us to credential ourselves before him with our puny efforts to obey him. Jesus did that for us and him being God he could where we fail and fall so miserably short.

The bible is about Jesus first and foremost. It also contains the good news of the Gospel. Hear this good news:

Isaiah 44:21 Remember these things, O Jacob,
and Israel, for you are my servant;
I formed you; you are my servant;
O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me.
22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud
and your sins like mist;
return to me, for I have redeemed you.
23 Sing, O heavens, for the Lord has done it;
shout, O depths of the earth;
break forth into singing, O mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
and will be glorified in Israel. ESV

What our Lord told Israel so many years ago he tells us today. He has blotted out our transgression and sins. He will not hold those in Jesus accountable for the evil they have done. Do we then sin up a storm? What a horrible question to ask! Why would we want to do that in the face of such a gracious God? Rather let us believe this good news and live in the peace it gives.

In the name of Jesus. †