Baptism Now Saves You
In this ark a few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water. 21 And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
I think there's some things that we are all in agreement with this morning. For instance, taking candy from a baby is just plain wrong. It isn't fair. Or cutting in front of other people in the line at Walmart. Or eating the last cookie without checking to see if anyone else wanted it. While humorous, it's also true that there are some rules written into the heart of society. It's also true that we expect people to follow these rules.
Dr. Lawrence Kohlberg, a famous scholar in the field of psychology, did some research about morality. What he observed is that across the world, people appeal to the same moral standards. This means that there is such a thing as right or wrong. There is a law written into people's hearts.
If we evolved slowly over time, then there would be no morals. Right and wrong wouldn't matter. Evidence of morality points to the fact that there must be a divine being. Which is terrifying. Because we feel bad when we do things that are wrong. We do things that offend God. We do things that are worthy of punishment.
Guilt and shame are horrible feelings. After a sexual sin, for example, some will try to scrub away those feelings in the shower with soap. But that doesn't help. There needs to be a spiritual cleansing.
Today, God wants you to know that there is a way to wash all of that filth in your heart away. This happens in Baptism. Baptism Now Saves You. Even though your sinful nature is filthy, Baptism washes you clean.
The apostle Peter writes under inspiration of the Holy Spirit: "Baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the body but the guarantee of a good conscience before God." There's more that happens in baptism than just a little bit of water sprinkled on the head. If baptism was just water, then it would be pointless. But this holy sacrament is not for removing physical dirt on the body.
Instead, baptism is for cleansing away sin. Sin is violation of God's Law, which is revealed in the Ten Commandments. Now, it is true that everyone has the natural law written in their hearts. But it's possible to become accustomed to sin. If you do something long enough, your conscience will no longer tell you that it's wrong. And so the Ten Commandments are necessary. They reveal God's holy will. They tell us what's right and wrong.
Scripture declares: "Whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles in one point has become guilty of breaking all of it." Just one hateful thought. Just one mean word. Just one lustful thought, or look. That's all it takes to deserve the punishment of hell.
Humans are so sinful, that we pass down our sin. The technical term for this is "original sin." It's like a genetic disease that is transferred from generation to generation. Even King David confessed: "Certainly, I was guilty when I was born. I was sinful when my mother conceived me." This means that even though it doesn’t look like it, babies are full of sin. When they become older, their selfishness when playing with others becomes quite apparent. Their sinful nature, just like ours, is opposed to God. The sinful nature is completely evil.
The Bible makes it clear that because of sin, people are dead. Ephesians chapter two verse one even says: "You were dead in your trespasses and sins." Those who are dead can't do anything. They can't choose to live. They can't choose to have faith.
That's the sinful nature. It's full of filth. It can't be good. And there's nothing that you can do to "erase" this darkness. You have come into this world "pre-programmed” with a wicked heart.
And so the question is, how are we saved? How do we avoid God's wrath and judgment? How do we avoid suffering an eternity in hell for our sins? The answer is baptism. Peter writes "baptism now saves you." This is not because water can do anything by itself. Instead, it is, as we say in the catechism "the water used according to God's command and connected with His Word." The Holy Spirit working through God's Word gives baptism the power to cleanse from sin. Baptism connects you with the resurrection of Jesus.
Jesus, who is true God, lived a life in your place. He is holy, which means He's perfect. And He wasn't conceived in the same way you and I were. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary. He doesn't have a sinful nature. And during His earthly ministry, He completely avoided all the filth of sin. He obeyed God's holy commands without fault.
And then He died on the cross. It was there that He took upon Himself the dirt of the entire world. Everything that stains your conscience. Everything that deserves God's punishment. He suffered for your hateful thoughts. Your lustful looks. Your mean words. The sinless Son of God became sin. He took upon Himself your punishment. He died for you.
However, as true God, death had no power over Jesus. He is The Life. On Sunday, the third day, Jesus rose again! He who died lives. The resurrection proves that Jesus accomplished forgiveness for everyone's sins. Including yours and mine. The resurrection provides comfort and hope.
The forgiveness Jesus won for you is received by faith. Baptism creates faith. It unites you with Christ's death and resurrection. We hear in Romans "Do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"
In baptism, your sinful nature was drowned. It was put to death with Jesus on the cross. And then, just as Jesus rose, you also rose to a new life of faith in Christ.
That's what Oaklyn received this morning! Her sins are washed away! She is now God's own child. By faith, she has the greatest spiritual treasures. Baptism has now saved her because it brings her to Jesus. Her conscience is cleansed in Him. She is no longer dead in her sins, but has spiritual life. She has the Holy Spirit, who keeps her in the faith and directs her to Jesus. She has heaven itself. And as a baptized child of God, you have all of these blessings, too! You also have the assurance of a good conscience before God. You also know that you will be in heaven one day.
To help us understand all of this, God reveals that the flood in Noah's day is a picture of baptism. God sent the flood because of mankind's wickedness. The flood covered the entire earth, and washed away all unrighteousness, all the wicked people who had rejected their Creator. But the Ark saved those who still believed. The cleansing waters lifted up the Ark.
In a similar way, baptism drowns all unrighteousness within us. It wipes our souls clean. Just as the water lifted up the eight souls on the ark, the water also lifts our souls up from the depths of hell. And just as God said He would never flood the entire earth again, it isn't necessary to be baptized again, either. God doesn't need to "re-do" His work. The water with the Word does exactly what He says. The water preserves us from God's judgment, and the fires of hell. The water lifts us up to life in Christ.
This wonderful blessing of baptism is for all people. Jesus says "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Babies can have faith, just like adults. It's true that babies can't talk yet or comprehend much. But think about it this way, while adults are sleeping, they can't do much either. And yet, adults still have faith while they sleep. Faith isn't dependent on if you can talk. Faith is different than a mere "head knowledge." Faith grasps unto Jesus. Faith simply trusts. Even when you are sleeping. Even when you are a baby. And more often than not, the faith of infants and young children is an example for adults to follow and imitate.
As we go throughout life, we still struggle with the sinful nature. We don't always obey God as we should. We go to church and confess our sins, and then we go home and sin again. The life of faith is a constant struggle.
And so it's important that we daily return to our baptism in repentance. The Holy Spirit leads us to repent of our sins, and drown them in the baptismal waters. And then daily, we rise again to a new life of faith.
God also strengthens you in the faith through the Lord's Supper, that we receive here this morning. Jesus gives you His true body and blood to assure you that your sins are truly forgiven. He gives Himself to you to help you resist sin. He gives Himself to comfort you during your trials in life as you look forward to heaven.
Today, in His Word, God tells you "Repent! Turn away form all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall." In faith, you recognize that are a sinner. And then turn to Jesus. Turn to the One who will never drive you away. Turn to the holy one who is always faithful, and always loving. He tells you "You are united to me, and I to you. You are forgiven. In me, God the Father doesn't see your sins. He doesn't see your dirt. Instead, you have my holiness, my perfection, and my righteousness.”
This is the life of the Christian. We follow Christ in love. We seek constant nourishment here at church through Word and Sacrament. And by faith, we daily put off sin, and put on His righteousness and perfection. He is the answer to your struggle with sin. He is the one who gives your troubled conscience rest.
The research of Dr. Lawrence Kohlberg backs up what Holy Scripture reveals. There is such a thing as right and wrong. There is a Holy God. Our conscience knows that this is true. And it can also feel extreme guilt over things that we have done. Thanks be to God that baptism now saves us! Baptism is the guarantee of a good conscience before God. The Word with the water works this miracle. Your sins are washed clean. You are united by faith to Christ.
So when the devil comes to you and points out your sin, or when your own conscience terrifies you, repent, and turn to Jesus. His death and resurrection are yours. You no longer face God's judgment and condemnation. The waters have lifted you up. Your dirt has been removed. You are God’s own child! You now have forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation. You are baptized into Christ. Amen.
May 14th, 2023
Pastor Samuel Johnson