Webster University - Lauretanum Yearbook (Webster Groves, MO)

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III. THE POWER OF BAPTISM How can water do such great things? Answer: It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no Baptism. But with the word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St.Paul says, Titus, chapter third: iAccording to His mercy He saved usJ By the washing of regener- ation and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on u: abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should he made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying. IV. THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BAPTIZING WITH WATER What does such baptizing with water signify? Answer: It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise, who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever. Where is this written? Answer: St.PauI says, Romans, chapter sixth: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even :0 we also should walk in newness of life. THE OFFICE OF THE KEYS AND CONFESSION As the Head of the Family Should Teach It in a Simple Way to His Household What is the Office of the Keys? Answer: It is the peculiar church power which Christ has given to His church on earth, to forgive the sins of penitent sinners, but to retain the sins of the impenitent as long as they do not repent. Where is this written? Answer: Thus writes the holy Evangelist John, chapter twentieth: The Lord Jesus breathed on His disciples and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whosesoe'yer sins ye retain, they are retained. What do you believe according to these words? Answer: I believe that, when the called ministers of Christ deal with us by His divine command, especially when they exclude manifest and impenitent sinners from the Christian congregation, and, again, when they absolve those who repent of their sins and are willing to amend, this is as valid and certain, in heaven also, as if Christ, our dear Lord, dealt with us Himself. What is Confession? Answer: Confession embraces two parts: One is that we confess our sins; the other, that we receive absolu- tion, or forgiveness, from the pastor as from God Himself, and in no wise doubt, but firmly believe, that by it our sins are forgiven before God in heaven. I131

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The Fifth Petition And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. What does this mean? Answer: We pray in this petition that our Father in heaven would not look upon our sins, nor on their account deny our prayer; for we are worthy of none of the things for which we pray, neither have we deserved them; but that He would grant them all to us by grace; for we daily sin much and indeed deserve nothing but punishment. So will we also heartily forgive, and readily do good to, those who sin against us. The Sixth Petition And lead us not into temptation. What does this mean? Answer: God indeed tempts no one; but we pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us, so that the devil, the world, and our flesh may not deceive us nor seduce us into misbelief, despair, and other great shame and Vice; and though we be assailed by them, that still we may finally overcome and obtain the victory. The Seventh Petition But deliver us from evil. What does this mean? Answer: We pray in this petition, as the sum of all, that our Father in heaven would deliver us from every evil of body and soul, property and honor, and finally, when our last hour has come, grant us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this vale of tears to Himself in heaven. I101 The Conclusion For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. What is meant by the word Amen ? Answer: That I should be certain that these petitions are acceptable to our Father in heaven, and are heard by Him; for He Himself has commanded us so to pray, and has promised to hear us. Amen, Amen, that is, Yea, yea, it shall be so. THE SACRAMENT 0F HOLY BAPTISM As the Head of the Family Should Teach It in a Simple Way to His Household I. THE NATURE OF BAPTISM What is Baptism? Answer: Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God,s command and con- nected with Godls word. Which is that word of God? Answer: Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye and teach all nations, haptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. II. THE BLESSING 0F BAPTISIVI What does Baptism give or profit? Answer: 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. Which are such words and promises of God? Answer: Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is baptized shall he saved; but he that helieveth not shall be damned. 'llll

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What sins should we confess? Answer: Before God we should plead guilty of all sins, even of those which we do not know, as we do in the Lord,s Prayer; but before the pastor we should confess those sins only which we know and feel in our hearts. Which are these? Answer: Here consider your station according to the Ten Commandments, whether you are a father, mother, son, daughter, master, mistress, servant; whether you have been disobedient, unfaithful, slothful; whether you have grieved any person by word or deed; whether you have stolen, neglected, or wasted aught, or done other injury. THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR As the Head of the Family Should Teach It in a Simple Way to His Household What is the Sacrament of the Altar? Answer: It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself. Where is this written? Answer: The holy Evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St.Paul hthe ApostleE write thus: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He wax betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it and gave it to his dis? ciples, saying, Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. Thi: do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup when He had supped, and when He had given i141 It i w.-. V queAa-vv hi thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; this cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. This do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. What is the benefit of such eating and drinking? Answer: That is shown us by these words, RGiven and shed for you for the remission of sinsh; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation. How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things? Answer: It is not the eating and drinking indeed that does them, but the words here written, Given and shed for you for the remission of sins; which words, besides the bodily eating and drinking, are the chief thing in the Sacrament; and he that believes these words has what they say and express, namely, the forgiveness of sins. Who, then, receives such Sacrament worthily? Answer: Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a hne outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words, Given and shed for you for the remission of sins. But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unprepared; for the words ufor you,: require all hearts to believe. i151