Salvation and Baptism
Tuesday’s Verse:
From 1 Peter 3:21 ESV
“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.”
On Sunday, during my sermon, I mentioned an important connection between the Gospel reading from Saint Matthew’s on sowing seed on good ground and our Baptisms. In chapter 3, verse 21 of his first letter, Saint Paul directs our hearts to the understanding that Baptism saves us not by removing dirt from our bodies, but by appealing to God for His grace. In response, God gives us His Holy Spirit and makes us members of His family.
Whether you are baptized in a Lutheran church or any other Christian church, baptism is all the same - it saves you through the Holy Spirit indwelling in you that brings faith in Jesus Christ. So whether you’ve been baptized at a font or in a pool, baptism saves you.
The important part of a faithful life in Christ is being part of regular worship and in God’s Word. In the house of God, we receive His blessings and the strengthening of our faith, trusting in God more and more.
Our salvation is grounded in Jesus Christ and faith in Him alone. For us, it started at our baptisms. Let us give thanks to Almighty God for saving us.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Almighty Father, strengthen my faith in Your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The photo today was created by Gemini.