Baptism, Our Adoption

Baptism, Our Adoption

The Fifth Wednesday of Lent – April 2, 2025

Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Peter 3:18-22

Rev. Dr. Christopher W. Brademeyer

That portion from God’s holy Word for consideration this evening is our first lesson from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew in the twenty-eighth chapter with special emphasis on verses nineteen through twenty which read as follows:

[Jesus said,] “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[b] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”[1]

Thus far the Scriptures.

In the Name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction 

Today we reflect on the profound gift of baptism, which unites us with Christ and marks the beginning of our life in Him. Our readings from 1 Peter 3:18-22 and Matthew 28:16-20 highlight the significance of baptism, not just as a ritual, but as the saving act of God and the very foundation of our Christian identity. Furthermore, the wisdom of the Large and Small Catechisms deepens our understanding of baptism’s role in shaping our faith and daily walk with Christ.

Baptism is something many of us experience in infancy, but its impact is lifelong. It is not just a one-time event, but a daily reality that calls us into a life of faith, repentance, and renewal. Throughout this sermon, we will explore how baptism connects us to Christ’s death and resurrection, how it is central to the mission of the Church, and how it transforms our daily living.

Baptism: A Connection to Christ’s Death and Resurrection

 In our reading from First Peter chapter three, the Apostle Peter speaks of Christ’s suffering, His triumphant resurrection, and the saving waters of baptism. He draws a parallel between Noah’s ark and baptism, emphasizing that just as Noah and his family were saved through water, so too are we saved through the waters of baptism. Baptism is not a mere washing of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This passage reminds us that baptism is much more than a symbolic act. It is an act of God’s grace, uniting us with Jesus in His death and resurrection. Paul echoes this in Romans 6:3-5, saying that in baptism, we are buried with Christ so that we may also rise with Him in newness of life. What an incredible reality! Baptism is not something we achieve; it is something we receive. It is God’s gracious claim upon our lives.

Luther’s Small Catechism affirms this truth, teaching that baptism "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.” Baptism is not a human work but God’s divine action, grafting us into Christ’s death and resurrection. It is in these waters that we receive the promise of new life and are forever marked as God’s own.

Consider what this means for us today. When we struggle with sin, when we face doubts, or when we feel unworthy, we can return to our baptism and be assured that we belong to Christ. The promise of baptism is not dependent on our feelings or performance—it rests entirely on the faithfulness of God.

Baptism: The Great Commission and Christian Identity 

In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus gives His disciples the Great Commission, commanding them to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This command underscores that baptism is central to the mission of the Church. It is not an optional practice but an essential sacrament through which disciples are made.

Notice that Jesus does not just say, "Go and tell people about Me." He says to make disciples by baptizing them and teaching them. Baptism is integral to discipleship. It is the means by which we are brought into the family of God, the way in which we are marked as His own. Baptism is not a human tradition—it is a divine gift, commanded by Christ Himself.

The Large Catechism reminds us that baptism is a lifelong reality, not just a past event. Martin Luther writes, "Thus a Christian life is nothing else than a daily baptism, once begun and ever to be continued.”[2] In baptism, we are given a new identity—we are clothed with Christ.[3] This identity is not dependent on our actions but on God’s promise. Every day, we are called to remember our baptism, to die to sin, and to live in the newness of life granted to us through Christ.

Think about what happens when someone is baptized. Whether it is an infant or an adult, the words spoken are the same: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." This is the name into which we are baptized. This is our identity. We are no longer just individuals—we belong to God’s family, His kingdom, and His mission. Indeed, in Baptism God adopts us, that is, claims us as His own, and places His own Name on us: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Living Out Our Baptismal Identity Since baptism is the foundation of our Christian identity, how do we live it out?

• Confidence in God’s Promises: In times of doubt, temptation, or suffering, we cling to the promise given in baptism—we are God’s beloved children. As Luther encourages, when confronted by the devil’s accusations, we boldly say, "I am baptized!" This is our assurance that we belong to Christ. We do not need to search for our identity in the shifting values of the world. Our identity is firmly rooted in God’s eternal promise.

• Repentance and Renewal: Baptism calls us to daily repentance. Luther describes this as the daily drowning of the old Adam so that a new man may arise. Through confession and the Lord’s Supper, we return to our baptismal identity, receiving God’s grace anew. Every time we confess our sins and receive forgiveness, we are living out the reality of our baptism.

• Mission and Witness: Baptism is not just about us and our salvation; it commissions the Church to share the Gospel. Just as Jesus commanded the disciples, Christians too are called to go forth, sharing the hope given in baptism with the world. We live in a world where many people struggle to understand who they are and where they belong. What a gift we have to offer! Through baptism, we know exactly who we are—we are God’s children, saved by grace, and called to bring others into His family.

Conclusion 

Dear friends, baptism is not just a ceremony; it is the defining mark of our identity as Christians. Through the saving work of Christ, we are washed, renewed, and claimed to live as His children. Let us remember daily that we are baptized into Christ, and let this truth shape our faith, our actions, and our witness to the world.

I encourage each of you today: When you wake up in the morning, remind yourself of your baptism. When you struggle with sin, remind yourself of your baptism. When you feel lost or uncertain, remind yourself of your baptism. This is who you are—you are a beloved, baptized child of God, and nothing can take that away from you.

In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

[1] Matthew 28:19-20 English Standard Version

[2] Large Catechism, Baptism, par. 65.

[3] Galatians 3:27