Baptisms

Class Information

Baptism Instruction Classes further explain why we baptize (children and adults) and what baptism does. They take place at Holy Trinity about every two months.

"I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God, unless (they are) born of water and the spirit." -John 3:5

Instruction classes run on Thursdays from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. To sign up, call the church office at 952-758-3513, at least one week before the classes begin. Childcare is provided when requested.

The Significance of Baptism

We believe that through the sacrament of baptism, which is specifically commanded by Jesus, God adopts us as His children. At baptism, God gives the gift of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16; John 3:5), and is a means through (the Spirit) which produces in us faith as a gift from God. Because being part of God's eternal family is entirely God's doing and not our own, and because all humans are born with a sinful nature (Romans 3:23, Psalm 51:5, Genesis 8:21), we affirm the practice of baptizing infants as well as adults (Romans 6:4-6; Matthew 18:1-6; Acts 2:39; Acts 16:30-33).

One of the few events recorded in all four gospels is the Baptism of Jesus. Ever since, Jesus' words that "no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of the water and the Spirit", Baptism has played a central role in the life of the church. God has joined salvation to the waters of baptism. "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (I Peter 3:21). How is a person saved? "Through the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). Baptism is a means of our rebirth in Christ.

Baptism is more than a symbolic act on the part of a person; more importantly, it is a holy act on the part of God. As Martin Luther said, "baptism works forgiveness of sins, rescues us from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe." It is not the water that produces these effects, but the word of God, and our faith which relies on the word of God. God's gracious washing summons us to action. Baptism is a pure gift of grace to be received. Through baptism, we are united with Christ and joined into the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:1-4). The Bible teaches that baptism provides the forgiveness of sins and salvation. As Ananias said to Paul, "be baptized and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16).

Baptism and faith go together, where faith is not an intellectual proof or an assertion of "my faith", but a simple childlike trust that assents to the saving power of God. It is only God's grace that can create power to have faith; faith itself is simply receiving the gift of God's grace. Only grace can create the response of faith (John 6:44, 65; I Cor. 12:3). Without faith, baptism is not fulfilled in a person's life. If the gift of baptism is received as a child, it needs to be accompanied by faith (Hebrews 4:2), which is a gift, and administered to children of parents who are believers (Acts 16:15, 33). We must remember that faith is a gift. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8; see also I Corinthians 4:7, 12:3).