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Luther and Baptism - Page 5

© Dr. Martin Luther, Th.D., Reformer, sinner and child of God

In all Christian earnestness I would ask all those who administer baptism, who hold the children, or witness it, to take this wonderful work to heart in all its seriousness. For here, in the words of these prayers, you hear how meekly and earnestly the Christina church concerns itself about the little child and how it confesses before God in plain undoubting words that he is possessed by the devil and is a child of sin and wrath, and prays very diligently for aid and grace through baptism that he may become a child of God.

Remember therefore, that it is no joke to take sides against the devil and not only to drive him away from the little child, but to burden the child with such a mighty and lifelong enemy. Remember too, that it is very necessary to aid the poor child with all you heart and strong faith, earnestly to intercede for him that God, in accordance with this prayer, would not only free him from the power of the devil, but also strengthen him, so that he may nobly resist the devil in life and death. And I suspect that people turn our so badly after baptism because our concern for them has been so cold and careless; we, at their baptism, interceded for them without zeal.

Now remember too, that in baptism the external things are the least important, such as blowing under the eyes, signing with the cross, putting salt into the mouth, putting spittle and clay into the ears and nose, anointing the breast and shoulders with oil, signing the crown of the head with the chrism, putting on the christening robe, placing a burning candle in the hand, and whatever else has been added by man to embellish baptism. For most assuredly baptism can be performed without all these, and they are not the sort of devices and practices from which the devil shrinks or flees. He sneers at greater things that these! Here is the place for real earnestness.

See to it , therefore, that you are present in true faith, listen to God's Word, and earnestly join in prayer. For when the priest says, "Let us pray," he is exhorting you to unite with him in prayer. And all sponsors and the others present should repeat with him the words of his prayer in their hearts to God. For this reason the priest should say these prayers very clearly and slowly so that the sponsors may hear and comprehend them and also pray with him with one accord in their hearts, carrying the little child's need before God most earnestly, setting themselves against the devil with all their strength on behalf of the child, and showing that they realize this is not joke as far as the devil is concerned.

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