Baptism-Buried in Christ's Death; Raised in His Resurrection

Throughout American history, we read of "Great Revivals." Whenever the moral fiber of our countries starts to fray, evangelists hold revivals and tent meetings to renew a zeal and spirit among the people. It can be debated how effective these have been; the fact that there have been numerous revivals indicates that our faith continually needs to be propped.

Lutherans tend to be a-revivalists. That is, you rarely see a good Lutheran revival. It may be that we like to sing "Stand up, stand up, for Jesus!" sitting down, or that our potlucks and coffee hours equate to spiritual experiences. But are Lutherans against revival? I maintain that a "Lutheran" against revival can hardly be called Lutheran. From Luther's Small Catechism we read:

What is Baptism?

Answer:

Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's Word.

Which is that word of God?

Answer:

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew: Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

What does Baptism give or profit?

Answer:

It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.

Which are such words and promises of God?

Answer:

Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

How can water do such great things?

Answer:

It is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.

What does such baptizing with water signify?

Answer:

It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.