A Journey of Faith
Baptism
What is Baptism?
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word.
Which is that word of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
What benefits does Baptism give?
It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.
How can water do such great things?
Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus chapter three:
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” (Titus 3:5-8)
Therefore, we baptize people at any age!
Baptism is essentially a means by which He has chosen to adopt us into His family, give us His Holy Spirit and forgive us of our sins. God often uses things which seem ordinary to do miraculous works. We believe in baptismal regeneration. This means that the Spirit has chosen to work through baptismal water in the same way that He works through His Word. Therefore, we practice infant through adulthood baptism. Since infants cannot understand the word, God uses baptism as a means to regenerate them and bring them into the faith. Through it, God gives faith to the baptized regardless of age. We believe that baptism is a form of the gospel, not a form of the law. Baptism is an act performed by Christ, through the hands of the minister of the sacrament. It is His gift of life and salvation. It is not a work we do but His alone.
Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word.
Which is that word of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
What benefits does Baptism give?
It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.
How can water do such great things?
Certainly not just water, but the word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this word of God in the water. For without God’s word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul says in Titus chapter three:
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.” (Titus 3:5-8)
Therefore, we baptize people at any age!
Baptism is essentially a means by which He has chosen to adopt us into His family, give us His Holy Spirit and forgive us of our sins. God often uses things which seem ordinary to do miraculous works. We believe in baptismal regeneration. This means that the Spirit has chosen to work through baptismal water in the same way that He works through His Word. Therefore, we practice infant through adulthood baptism. Since infants cannot understand the word, God uses baptism as a means to regenerate them and bring them into the faith. Through it, God gives faith to the baptized regardless of age. We believe that baptism is a form of the gospel, not a form of the law. Baptism is an act performed by Christ, through the hands of the minister of the sacrament. It is His gift of life and salvation. It is not a work we do but His alone.
First Communion
First Communion is not new for the Lutheran Church. Historically the church has consistently communed children before the Rite of Confirmation. We believe, teach, and confess at Trinity Lutheran Church that in receiving the Lord's Supper we receive the very body & blood of Christ our Lord (Matthew 26:26,28). We believe this is one of the many gifts that the Lord has given to His church for His people’s benefit.
Therefore, if receiving the Lord's Supper is a benefit for the baptized Christian, whereby they receive from Christ the forgiveness of sins, life, salvation, and the strengthening of our faith; wouldn’t it be good to prepare our children to receive it as soon as possible?
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14) So, our conviction is, “Yes, we should be preparing our children to receive the Lord's Supper as soon as possible” . . . But how do we do it?
The Bible is clear in saying that the person who comes to the Lord’s Supper should be equipped to “examine themselves” and “discern the body of Christ.” This means that we recognize our sinful condition and trust in God’s grace alone -- found in the Lord’s Supper in Christ’s body and blood -- to grant us forgiveness, renewal and strength to live as His people.
To that end, we offer a “First Communion” class every winter (the four weeks leading up to Ash Wednsesday) for children who have not yet been confirmed and are in the 5th grade or older. This class is designed to prepare the individual so that they may faithfully participate in the Lord’s Supper and thereby receive Christ and His gifts as He comes to us in the Holy Supper. For we know that where Christ is, so are His gifts of forgiveness and salvation.
And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant[c] to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ (Luke 14:17)
Therefore, if receiving the Lord's Supper is a benefit for the baptized Christian, whereby they receive from Christ the forgiveness of sins, life, salvation, and the strengthening of our faith; wouldn’t it be good to prepare our children to receive it as soon as possible?
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14) So, our conviction is, “Yes, we should be preparing our children to receive the Lord's Supper as soon as possible” . . . But how do we do it?
The Bible is clear in saying that the person who comes to the Lord’s Supper should be equipped to “examine themselves” and “discern the body of Christ.” This means that we recognize our sinful condition and trust in God’s grace alone -- found in the Lord’s Supper in Christ’s body and blood -- to grant us forgiveness, renewal and strength to live as His people.
To that end, we offer a “First Communion” class every winter (the four weeks leading up to Ash Wednsesday) for children who have not yet been confirmed and are in the 5th grade or older. This class is designed to prepare the individual so that they may faithfully participate in the Lord’s Supper and thereby receive Christ and His gifts as He comes to us in the Holy Supper. For we know that where Christ is, so are His gifts of forgiveness and salvation.
And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant[c] to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ (Luke 14:17)
Junior Confirmation
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” Deuteronomy 6:4-7
What does it mean to be confirmed in the faith?
What does it mean to be confirmed in the faith?
- Confirmation is a believer’s confession of their faith in Christ. Jesus taught that it is critical to our faith for believers to confess their faith in Christ before other people. In Matthew, chapter 10, Jesus said “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33) The process of confirmation helps to mature a person in their faith so they are prepared to give others the reason for their hope in Christ (1st Peter 3:15). Ultimately, confirmation is an opportunity to say that we know Jesus, what He has done for us, and who we are as His disciples.
- Confirmation is a maturing affirmation of baptism. For many people, baptism is something they don’t remember (they were baptized as an infant or young child). But just because it is an event that may not be remembered, it is certainly very important and has great meaning for the baptized individual. You probably don’t remember being born, and you may not remember being “born again” in the waters of baptism. That is okay, God is the one who did all the work. In your baptism, God said “yes” to you and made promises to you. In confirmation, you will say “yes” to God and make promises to Him.
- Confirmation is a great joy. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears[a] we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” (1st John 3:1-2) It is a great joy to discover the depths and riches of God’s wisdom… To see how high, wide, deep, and long the love of God is for you in Christ… To witness the fullness of God’s mercy and grace… To rejoice together as members of God’s family and kingdom.
Life in Christ (AKA- Adult Confirmation)
“Life in Christ” is a class designed to help you see the great depth of God’s love for you as an individual, for His Church as the Bride of Christ, and for His world. This is accomplished by learning about the basic teachings of the Christian faith as revealed to us in the Bible and as seen through the history of salvation in God’s people.
You certainly have questions. Some of your questions may be similar to the following: 1) What does it mean to be a Christian? 2) Is there a heaven and a hell? 3) Does God have a plan? 4) What is peculiar about Lutherans and their theology?
There might be some aspects of faith and religion that trouble you. Some such things might be: 1) How can I know if the Bible is true? 2) What does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus? 3) Who really is Jesus? 4) Why do there seem to be so many hypocrites in the church? 5) Does God really care about me?
“Life in Christ” is a class designed for asking questions and seeking answers from the most reliable source, The Bible. This class offers an environment in which people experience honor, acceptance, and genuine love; an encouraging atmosphere in which to seek, find, and grow. You might be someone who is just beginning your search into these spiritual matters or you might be someone who has attended church for many years; either way this class offers something to everyone, regardless of where they are on their faith journey.
Just as human relationships can either flourish or whither, so can our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Clear communication, honest transparency, personal investment, rich discovery, and even some humor are important means to healthy relationships. It’s the same with God. “Life in Christ” focuses on this very thing, a living and healthy relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ.
You certainly have questions. Some of your questions may be similar to the following: 1) What does it mean to be a Christian? 2) Is there a heaven and a hell? 3) Does God have a plan? 4) What is peculiar about Lutherans and their theology?
There might be some aspects of faith and religion that trouble you. Some such things might be: 1) How can I know if the Bible is true? 2) What does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus? 3) Who really is Jesus? 4) Why do there seem to be so many hypocrites in the church? 5) Does God really care about me?
“Life in Christ” is a class designed for asking questions and seeking answers from the most reliable source, The Bible. This class offers an environment in which people experience honor, acceptance, and genuine love; an encouraging atmosphere in which to seek, find, and grow. You might be someone who is just beginning your search into these spiritual matters or you might be someone who has attended church for many years; either way this class offers something to everyone, regardless of where they are on their faith journey.
Just as human relationships can either flourish or whither, so can our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Clear communication, honest transparency, personal investment, rich discovery, and even some humor are important means to healthy relationships. It’s the same with God. “Life in Christ” focuses on this very thing, a living and healthy relationship with the Son of God, Jesus Christ.