The Importance of Baptism

Holy Baptism is where we begin our journey of life and faith as people of God.  It’s important – it’s our foundation of life!

But first, Baptism is one of two sacraments – Holy Communion is the other.  A sacrament is a “means of grace,” a way in which God touches us with undeserved and unconditional love.

In Baptism God is at work in our lives, in ways that we cannot always see, and ways that we cannot understand.  God marks us and claims us, and then walks with us as our lives unfold.  We are called to be what God has created us to be, using the gifts that God provides us through the Holy Spirit.  As we journey through life, God calls us to live out our baptism in faithful living, as disciples of Jesus.

At Our Savior’s we celebrate Baptism in the midst of our worship together because as God marks and claims us, God also brings us into community.  In Baptism we are a part of the Body of Christ, the people of God who are saved and redeemed by God’s work in Jesus.  Baptism is never private – it is always about being a part of something bigger than ourselves.

A Lutheran understanding of Baptism is grounded in our belief that God is at work, not us.  Lutherans baptize infants because Baptism is not our response, but God’s work.  We also baptize adults – and all ages in between, but we never “re-baptize.”  No need to repeat what God has already begun!

In order to learn more about Baptism at Our Savior’s contact one of the pastors, or better yet, join us in worship.  Hear the good news of Jesus – that you are precious in the sight of God – and see how the baptized people of God celebrate all of God’s gifts of grace!