2011 Convocation Menu

2010 Convocation Menu

2009 Convocation Menu

IN THE PLAIN FORM IN WHICH THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY
SHALL TEACH IT TO HIS HOUSEHOLD

First

  • What is baptism?
    Answer: Baptism is not merely water, but it is water
    used according to God’s command and connected with
    God’s Word.
  • What is this Word of God?
    Answer: As recorded in Matthew
    28:19, our Lord Christ said, “Go
    therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
    them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of
    the Holy Spirit.”

Second

  • What gifts or benefits does Baptism bestow?
    Answer: It effects forgiveness of sins, delivers
    from death and the devil, and grants eternal salvation
    to all who believe, as the Word and promise of God
    declare.
  • What is this Word and promise of God?
    Answer: As recorded in Mark 16:16,
    our Lord Christ said, “He who believes and is
    baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe
    will be condemned.”

Third

  • How can water produce such great effects?
    Answer: It is not the water that produces these
    effects, but the Word of God connected with the water,
    and our faith which relies on the Word of God
    connected with the water. For without the Word of God
    the water is merely water and no Baptism. But when
    connected with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that
    is, a gracious water of life and a washing of
    regeneration in the Holy Spirit, as St. Paul wrote to
    Titus (3:5-8), “He saved us by
    the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy
    Spirit, which He poured out upon us richly through
    Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that we might be
    justified by His grace and become heirs in hope of
    eternal life. This saying is sure.

Fourth

  • What does such baptizing with water signify?
    Answer: It signifies that the old Adam in us,
    together with all sins and evil lusts, should be
    drowned by daily sorrow and repentance and be put to
    death, and that the new man should come forth daily
    and rise up, cleansed and righteous, to live forever
    in God’s presence.
  • Where is this written?
    Answer: In Romans 6:4, St. Paul
    wrote, “We were buried therefore with Him by
    baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from
    the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk
    in newness of life.”

To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord

To Jordan (1.36 KB .mid audio)

  1. To Jordan came the Christ, our Lord,
    To do His Father's pleasure;
    Baptized by John, the Father's Word
    Was given us to treasure.
    This heav'nly washing now shall be
    A cleansing from transgression
    And by His blood and agony
    Release from death's oppression.
    A new life now awaits us.
  2. O hear and mark the message well,
    For God Himself has spoken.
    Let faith, not doubt, among us dwell
    And so receive this token.
    Our Lord here with His Word endows
    Pure water, freely flowing.
    God's Holy Spirit here avows
    Our kinship while bestowing
    The Baptism of His blessing.
  3. These truths on Jordan's banks were shown
    By mighty word and wonder.
    The Father's voice from heav'n came down,
    Which we do well to ponder:
    "This man is My beloved Son,
    In whom My heart has pleasure.
    Him you must hear, and Him alone,
    And trust in fullest measure
    The word that He has spoken."
  4. There stood the Son of God in love,
    His grace to us extending;
    The Holy Spirit like a dove
    Upon the scene descending;
    The triune God assuring us,
    With promises compelling,
    That in our Baptism He will thus
    Among us find a dwelling
    To comfort and sustain us.
  5. To His disciples spoke the Lord,
    "Go out to ev'ry nation,
    And bring to them the living Word
    And this My invitation:
    Let ev'ryone abandon sin
    And come in true contrition
    To be baptized and thereby win
    Full pardon and remission
    And heav'nly bliss inherit."
  6. But woe to those who cast aside
    This grace so freely given;
    They shall in sin and shame abide
    And to despair be driven.
    For born in sin, their works must fail,
    Their striving saves them never;
    Their pious acts do not avail,
    And they are lost forever,
    Eternal death their portion.
  7. All that the mortal eye beholds
    Is water as we pour it.
    Before the eye of faith unfolds
    The pow'r of Jesus' merit.
    For here it sees the crimson flood
    To all our ills bring healing;
    The wonders of His precious blood
    The love of God revealing
    Assuring His own pardon.