Disguises

"Newborns are born with disguises. When you see them, you marvel at how cute they are, how helpless, how beautiful. But this is all just a disguise. You see, beneath this disguise lies a sinful, rebellious heart, an unbeliever, an enemy of God".

This is how Pastor Alex began his sermon this Sunday, explaining the realities of sin and the necessity of baptism. He continued:

"Baptism is such a simple thing. Just water and the Word. Where is the grandeur, the lightning, the ground shaking - announcing that God is working faith and forgiveness in the heart of the child? We don't see it - but we believe it because of the One that promises that it is so."

After this, two children were baptized, sins were forgiven and faith was worked in their hearts. The ground didn't shake, the sky didn't go dark but we believe the promise that these souls received the gift of eternal life. Thanks be to our wonderful Savior who keeps his promises and continues to forgive sins and create faith through the sacrament of baptism.

Rejoicing

This past Sunday we were privileged to have another baptism. The parents were very anxious to have their newborn receive the blessings of forgiveness and faith. The birth was on Wednesday evening and was done by c-section. On Sunday morning, the mother walked about a quarter mile to church, carrying the newborn so he could be baptized. When the pastor asked the parents to come forward for the baptism, you could see the joy on their faces as they walked up to the front with their daughter and their newborn.

Many of the children of the congregation also walked up to the front to see the baptism. They were also curious as to what was happening. What a thing God has worked in these hearts! A whole new generation is learning that God works faith and forgiveness in the heart of a newborn in the sacrament of Baptism, just as He promises.

This was the fifth infant baptism of this year and more are planned for the coming weeks.

What a wonderful blessing to pass on to our children the inheritance of faith that we were given by God's mercy - by grace giving what we have received by grace. The angels are rejoicing and our hearts are full of praise for such a wonderful Savior and for the great gift of Baptism - for babies too!