Our Savior Jesus Christ commanded baptism

Pastor: Our Savior Jesus Christ commanded baptism saying, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

God’s Word teaches that we are all conceived and born sinful and are under the power of the devil until Christ claims us as His own. Jesus took away our sin by giving His life on the cross.  At our baptism He clothes us with the robe of His righteousness and gives us a new life.  Our sinful nature need not control us any longer.  We recall what baptism means for our daily lives:

People: Baptism means that the sinful nature in us should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance, and that all its evil deeds and desires be put to death.  It also means that a new person should daily arise to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Pastor: As baptized children of God, we humbly confess our sins:

People: Holy and merciful Father, we have failed in our calling to live as Your baptized children. We have too often lived according to our fallen human nature rather than according to the new life You have won for us. We have thought, spoken, and acted in ways that denied Your name given to us in Baptism, Your rule over us in our hearts, and Your will for us as we live out each day. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that, remembering our baptism, we daily die to sin, and daily rise with You. Amen.

Pastor: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end.

In His mercy, our heavenly Father gave His only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to the be the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and for His sake, God forgives all our sins. To those who believe in Jesus He gives the power to become the children of God and bestows on them the Holy Spirit. 

People: Amen.