Thursday, May 28, 1528 (Part 1)

Martin Luther preaches a sermon on baptism. This is the ninth sermon (of eleven) in Luther’s first (of three) series of sermons on the Catechism preached in 1528. As I have not found an English translation of these catechism sermons, in lieu of an excerpt from the sermon preached on May 28, we have an except from the beginning of the Large Catechism‘s (1529) discussion of the sacrament of baptism.

Quotation:

[Fourth Part: Baptism]

We have now finished the three chief parts of the common Christian teaching. Besides these we must also say something about our two sacraments instituted by Christ, of which also every Christian ought to have at least some ordinary, brief instruction, because without them there can be no Christian; although unfortunately until now no instruction concerning them has been given. In the first place, we take up Baptism, through which we are first received into the Christian community. However, in order that it may be readily understood we will treat it in a systematic manner, and limit ourselves to only that which it is necessary for us to know. For how it is to be maintained and defended against heretics and sectarians [1] we will leave to the scholars.

In the first place, we must above all things know well the words on which baptism is founded, and to which everything refers that is to be said on the subject, namely, where the Lord Christ says in the last chapter of Matthew:
“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.” [Matt. 28:19][2]

Likewise, in the last chapter of Mark:
“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” [Mark 16:16]

You must note, in the first place, that these words contain God’s commandment and institution, lest we doubt that baptism is divine, not devised nor invented by men. For as truly as I can say, “No one has spun the Ten Commandments, the Creed, or the Lord’s Prayer out of his head, but they are revealed and given by God himself,” so also I can boast that baptism is no human trifle, but instituted by God himself. Moreover, it is most solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we cannot be saved, lest anyone regard it as a trifling matter, like putting on a new red coat. For it is of the greatest importance that we regard baptism as excellent, glorious, and exalted. It is the chief cause of our contentions and battles, because the world is now so full of sects clamoring that baptism is an external thing, and that external things are of no benefit. But no matter how external a thing it may be, here stand God’s word and command which institute, establish, and confirm baptism. But what God institutes and commands cannot be of no value, but must be a most precious thing, even though to all appearances it may not be worth a straw. If people used to consider it a great thing when the pope dispensed indulgences with his letters and bulls and confirmed altars and churches, solely because of the letters and seals, we ought to regard baptism as much greater and more precious, because God has commanded it, and, besides, it is performed in his name. For these are the words, “Go baptize;” however, not “in your name,” but “in God’s name.” [to be continued in the next post]

Notes

[1] By “sectarians” Luther means primarily those factions of Protestants who diverged from his teaching concerning the sacraments and his interpretation of Scripture, for example, the Anabaptists.

[2] A more literal rendering of Luther’s German translation would be: “Go into all the world, teach all the nonbelievers [heiden], and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” [TAL 2:388]