August 31

Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus; for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:26. 27.

By Baptism we enter into union with Christ, we put on Christ, the benefits of Christ's redemption become our own, we thereby become the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. The same thing is expressed by the command: "Baptize them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost." The phrase "into the name" has a deep significance. It does not merely mean: Baptize them by authority of the Triune God; "into" denotes entrance, it denotes entering into fellowship, close communion, with the Triune God. "Baptize into the name" makes the promise and gives the assurance that the person who, before he was baptized, was without God through Holy Baptism has entered into relationship with God, has become a child of God. Is that true? Christ says so when He commands: "Teach all nations, baptizing them," or, literally translated: "Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them." By Baptism we become disciples of Christ. How does this wonderful change come about? Baptism kindles faith in him who is baptized; it makes him a believer in Christ, a follower of Him, and thus a true disciple of His. Do you believe this?

There are, indeed, those to whom Baptism means nothing more than a solemn rite of initiation into outward communion with the Church or, at best, a mere sign or symbol suggestive of edifying thoughts, but conveying, giving, or bestowing nothing. Let them remember what Christ promises: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." The word "saved" describes all the benefits of Baptism. To be saved means to be delivered from harm; it means nothing less than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil, to be received into the kingdom of Christ, and to live with Him forever. Baptism saves. Our Catechism says: "It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare." Baptism, therefore, is not only a sign, or symbol, of forgiveness, but it actually imparts forgiveness.

Prayer.

O kind and merciful God, we heartily thank Thee that all Thy grace has been confirmed to us by Holy Baptism. As natural water takes away the uncleanness of the body, so this heavenly washing

cleanses our souls from the stains of sin. Through this Sacrament we are regenerated, and faith has been kindled in us, by faith in Christ Jesus we are the children of God, and as children of God we are heirs of eternal salvation. Grant, O Lord God, that we may at all times duly remember our blessed baptism and let it be a comfort unto our souls in temptation, a powerful incentive to a godly life, and an encouragement to consecrate ourselves to Thee, so that we may ever be Thine own. Amen.

That by the water and the Word We're born again we thank Thee, Lord. In life and death Thine let us be And Thine in all eternity.