I don’t remember being baptized. I’d have to ask the church where it happened, or my parents, because I don’t remember the date. But I know I was baptized, and that is enough for me. 

Among Luther’s words in the Small Catechism about baptism are the following: 

Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word… 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. 

Luther based his teaching about Baptism firmly in Scripture – Sola Scriptura (Word Alone) was a pillar of the Reformation after all. Among the texts he leaned on for these statements is this verse: 

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) 

Baptism is a washing, cleansing us from sin. Baptism is our entry into the Church, the family of believers in Jesus. Baptism is our connection to the crucifixion and resurrection of our Savior. Baptism gives us the Holy Spirit and now we live new lives. 

How? It’s the water and the Word. It’s the power of God working in and through the Sacrament to accomplish all of this. 

Sunday we will remember our baptisms. Maybe you were baptized earlier than you can remember – that’s ok, it still counts! Maybe your memories of baptism are tangible because it was recent. Maybe you haven’t been baptized – you should consider it, for all that baptism offers. As we remember our baptisms, we will recall the promises that were spoken, by us (or someone else on our behalf), and over us in and through God’s word.