In the third place since we have learned the great benefit and power of Baptism,let us see further who is the person that receives what Baptism gives and profits.This is again most beautifully and clearly expressed in the words:He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.That is,faith alone makes the person worthy to receive profitably the saving,divine water.For,since these blessings are here presented and promised in the words in and with the water,they cannot be received in any other way than by believing them with the heart.Without faith it profits nothing,notwithstanding it is in itself a divine superabundant treasure.Therefore this single word (He that believeth)effects this much that it excludes and repels all works which we can do,in the opinion that we obtain and merit salvation by them.For it is determined that whatever is not faith avails nothing nor receives anything.
But if they say,as they are accustomed:Still Baptism is itself a work,and you say works are of no avail for salvation;what then,becomes of faith?Answer:Yes,our works,indeed,avail nothing for salvation;Baptism,however,is not our work,but God's (for,as was stated,you must put Christ-baptism far away from a bath-keeper's baptism).God's works,however,are saving and necessary for salvation,and do not exclude,but demand,faith;for without faith they could not be apprehended.For by suffering the water to be poured upon you,you have not yet received Baptism in such a manner that it benefits you anything;but it becomes beneficial to you if you have yourself baptized with the thought that this is according to God's command and ordinance,and besides in God's name,in order that you may receive in the water the promised salvation.Now,this the fist cannot do,nor the body;but the heart must believe it.
Thus you see plainly that there is here no work done by us,but a treasure which He gives us,and which faith apprehends;just as the Lord Jesus Christ upon the cross is not a work,but a treasure comprehended in the Word,and offered to us and received by faith.
Therefore they do us violence by exclaiming against us as though we preach against faith;while we alone insist upon it as being of such necessity that without it nothing can be received nor enjoyed.
Thus we have these three parts which it is necessary to know concerning this Sacrament especially that the ordinance of God is to be held in all honor,which alone would be sufficient,though it be an entirely external thing like the commandment,Honor thy father and thy mother,which refers to bodily flesh and blood.Therein we regard not the flesh and blood,but the commandment of God in which they are comprehended,and on account of which the flesh is called father and mother;so also,though we had no more than these words,Go ye and baptize,etc.,it would be necessary for us to accept and do it as the ordinance of God.Now there is here not only God's commandment and injunction,but also the promise,on account of which it is still far more glorious than whatever else God has commanded and ordained,and is,in short,so full of consolation and grace that heaven and earth cannot comprehend it.But it requires skill to believe this,for the treasure is not wanting,but this is wanting that men apprehend it and hold it firmly.
Therefore every Christian has enough in Baptism to learn and to practice all his life;for he has always enough to do to believe firmly what it promises and brings:victory over death and the devil,forgiveness of sin,the grace of God,the entire Christ,and the Holy Ghost with His gifts.In short,it is so transcendent that if timid nature could realize it,it might well doubt whether it could be true.
For consider,if there were somewhere a physician who understood the art of saving men from dying,or,even though they died,of restoring them speedily to life,so that they would thereafter live forever,how the world would pour in money like snow and rain,so that because of the throng of the rich no one could find access!But here in Baptism there is brought free to every one's door such a treasure and medicine as utterly destroys death and preserves all men alive.
Thus we must regard Baptism and make it profitable to ourselves,that when our sins and conscience oppress us,we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say:Nevertheless I am baptized;but if I am baptized,it is promised me that I shall be saved and have eternal life,both in soul and body.For that is the reason why these two things are done in Baptism namely,that the body,which can apprehend nothing but the water,is sprinkled,and,in addition,the word is spoken for the soul to apprehend.Now,since both,the water and the Word,are one Baptism,therefore body and soul must be saved and live forever:the soul through the Word which it believes,but the body because it is united with the soul and also apprehends Baptism as it is able to apprehend it.We have,therefore,no greater jewel in body and soul,for by it we are made holy and are saved,which no other kind of life,no work upon earth,can attain.
Let this suffice respecting the nature,blessing,and use of Baptism,for it answers the present purpose.
