The Work of Baptism

Lutherans believe that baptism is primarily God's work, as articulated in Scripture. Ephesians 5 highlights how Christ sanctifies and cleanses the church through the washing of water with the Word, demonstrating that it is Christ who acts in baptism, forgiving and washing away sins. This perspective is supported by numerous biblical passages that connect baptism to salvation, such as Mark 16:16 and Acts 2:38, emphasizing that the benefits of baptism are God's promises of salvation and forgiveness. Therefore, Lutheran theology asserts that baptism should not be viewed as a mere human action but as a divine gift fundamentally linked to Jesus' sacrificial work.