Baptized Into Christ

We've decided not to schedule when we are baptizing our soon to be born baby, but instead to baptize the baby on the closest Sunday after the baby is born. Why? Very simply because baptism is for the baby and the sooner the child can be baptized, the better.  The baptism of a baby isn't for the parents, it isn't for the sponsors, it isn't for the congregation or relatives or anyone else, but it is for the baby. If we take Scripture seriously (and we should) then we must acknowledge that we are... all born sinful ( Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me . Psalm 51:5),  and in need of rebirth ( Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:5-6 and [We] were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. Ephesians 2:3 ). Since we are born sinful and in need of rebirth, why would we wan...

There's no better time than the beginning of the school year to think about the role that parents play in the education of their children. The classic Lutheran understanding is that the parents are responsible for the education of their children. The school is there to help, but the responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the parents. This is also the case for their spiritual education. Our Lutheran School, Sunday School, and church are all ways in which children learn the things of God, but is is primarily the responsibility of parents (and specifically fathers) to instruct their children in the things of God. This happens by what we say to our children.   This happens by the examples we set for our children. This happens by the things we show that we value by what we choose to be a part. This happens by the things we show that we value by involving our children in them. Teaching children the things of God isn't optional, but the primary responsibility ...