Can a person who has been excommunicated from a congregation be received back into the congregation?

If an excommunicated person comes to a knowledge of his sin and repents, and promises to improve his sinful life, the congregation through the pastor pronounces God’s forgiveness to the person and receives him or her again as a brother or sister in faith and as a member of the congregation. At the same time the congregation forgives the person also on its own behalf. Excommunication is not an earthly punishment, but an admonition, intended for the soul’s salvation.

Prov. 27:6: Faithful are the wounds of a friend.

2 Cor. 2:6-8: Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.

Can a person who has fallen into mortal sin receive forgiveness for his sin?

If a person who has fallen into mortal sins, repents of his sin and trusts in God’s grace in Christ, he receives forgiveness and is saved.

Ezek. 34:16: I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick.

Ezek.33:19: If the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby.

1 Joh. 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What type of sins cause faith to die, and drive away the Holy Spirit?

Gross or coarse sins drive away faith and the Holy Spirit from the heart. Such sins, for example, are: drunkenness, murder and adultery. These are called mortal sins. If a person dies while living in such sins, he will be damned.

1 Cor. 5:11,13: If any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner, with such an one do not to eat... put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Gal. 5:19-21: Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like... they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Ezek. 33:18: When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby.

May a Baptism be renewed?

We must not be rebaptized, for a properly administered Baptism is God’s work, and His works do not need renewing or repairing. If someone has erred and been rebaptized, he may repent of his sin, and rely on his first or true Baptismal covenant.

Eph. 4:5: One Lord, one faith, one Baptism.

May a person, who has fallen from his Baptismal covenant, return to it?

Yes, he may. For even though he has fallen from his Baptismal covenant, God is nevertheless faithful and on His part the Baptismal covenant remains in force. In His grace God calls the fallen to return to their Baptismal covenant, and draws them to Himself. Nothing gives God more joy, than a sinner’s return to Him.

Jer. 3:22: Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.

2 Tim. 2:13: If we believe not, yet He abideth faithful; He cannot deny himself.

Is. 54:10: For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee.

Luke 15:32: It was meet that we should make merry and be glad, for this brother was dead, and is alive again, and was lost, and is found.

Assignment: Read Luke 15.

Luther: “Let every one esteem his Baptism as a daily dress in which he is to walk constantly, that he may ever be found in the faith and its fruits, that he suppress the old man and grow up on the new.”

How are we to use Baptism in accomplishing this?

The old man is drowned and in its place the new man arises in such a way, that we condemn the intentions and the activity of the old man every day, and in faith are buried in the grace-rich water of Baptism, and arise cleansed, to live in true faith and obedience before God.

Zech. 13:1: In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanness.

Is. 12: 3: Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Luther: “A truly Christian life is nothing else than a daily Baptism, once begun and ever to be continued. For this must be practised without ceasing... Therefore, if you live in repentance, you walk in Baptism, which not only signifies such a new life, but also produces, begins, and exercises it.”

What is the lot of the old man, and the lot of the new man?

The old man, with its evil intentions and actions, deserves death.

To the new man belongs the gift of life now and forever.

Gal. 5:24: They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Rom. 6:11: Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What is the new man?

The new man is the new spiritual essence or life, which the Holy Spirit has created in us by regenerating us in Holy Baptism. It lives before God in righteousness and purity, hence in true faith, and a holy life without pretense. Only believers have a new man, which also through the Holy Spirit crucifies the old man.

2 Cor. 5:17: If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.

Rom. 7:6: That we should serve in newness of Spirit.

Eph. 4:24: Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Col. 3:10: Ye have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.

Rom. 8:13: If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Assignment: Formulate a definition of the new man on the basis of the quotation from Luther in the preceding question, but using opposite characteristics that apply.

What is the Old Adam?

What does such baptizing with water signify? 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. Where is this written? St. Paul writes, Romans, chapter sixth: We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

According to the Bible, the old man or the Old Adam is our corrupt, sinful nature, which we have inherited from Adam and which will remain with us until we die. Everyone has an Old Adam.

Eph. 4:22: Put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.

Luther: “What is the old man? It is that which is born in us from Adam, angry, hateful, envious, unchaste, stingy, lazy, haughty, yea, unbelieving, infected with all vices, and having by nature nothing good in it.”

What is meant by the renewing of the Holy Spirit?

The renewal wrought by the Holy Spirit includes the following: When Baptism regenerates us through faith, at the same time it gives us a new spiritual life. The Holy Spirit begins living in us, enlightens our minds and our understanding, directs our will toward everything good, and gives us strength to live as God’s children, to resist lusts and be renewed according to the image of God.

On the Last Day in the resurrection, Christ’s Church will be glorified, at which time we will be free of our Old Adam and completely cleansed and holy.

Tit. 3:5: According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Rom. 8:14: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

2 Cor. 5:17: If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.

Eph. 5: 25-27: Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Does Baptism regenerate?

Baptism does regenerate, for the Bible calls it a washing of regeneration. Baptism is a means through which the Holy Spirit causes us to be born again.

Tit. 3:5: According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Joh. 3:5: Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Note: Those who in mission areas have already been born again through the Word, also need Baptism. They too are regenerated through Baptism according to God’s Word. The power and effect of Baptism does not change, even though before Baptism, the Gospel is proclaimed and heard. Baptism and the Word of the Gospel do not nullify, but strengthen the effect of each other. During the time of the Apostles, the Gospel was proclaimed first, and then Baptism was administered. To those who were baptized under such circumstances, the Apostle Paul proclaims that Baptism regenerates (Tit. 3:5). – Those, on the other hand, who after having been baptized, are spiritually dead because of their unbelief, may like the Prodigal Son repent and return to their Father in the shelter of their Baptism, and become alive again. Luther: “Repentance, therefore, is nothing else than a return and approach to Baptism, that we repeat and practice what we began before, but abandoned.”

What gives Baptism its power to save?

How can water do such great things? 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 third: According to His mercy He saved us, 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.

Water in itself cannot save us, but God’s Word places the saving gifts into Baptism. Through faith, which trusts this Word of God, a person receives these gifts for himself.

Eph. 5:25-26: Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.

Is Baptism absolutely necessary for salvation?

Our Lord Christ does not say: He who does not believe and who has not been baptized will be damned, but only “He who does not believe”. Thus, He indicates, that unbelief alone damns and that saving faith can exist without Baptism, just as long as Baptism is not despised and rejected. Situations like this may occur on the mission fields. On the same basis, in accordance with Luther’s illustration, those parents, whose child has died before it has been baptized, have been comforted (Gen. 17:7). Not the lack of Baptism, but the despisal of Baptism, damns.

How are the gifts given in Baptism received and used?

The gifts given to us in Baptism are received and used through faith. Unbelief, on the other hand, rejects them and does not use them.

Mark 16:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Heb. 11:6: Without faith it is impossible to please Him.

How does Holy Baptism give us eternal salvation?

At the same time that Baptism makes us children of God, it also makes us heirs of eternal salvation. We can be absolutely certain of this on the basis of the Baptismal covenant.

1 Pet. 3:21: Baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Rom. 8:17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.

Tit. 3:5-7: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us, 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.

1 Pet. 1:21: Who by him (Christ) do believe in God, That raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

Rom. 5:5: Hope maketh not ashamed.

How does Baptism deliver from the devil?

Baptism delivers us from the devil, because in Baptism we are snatched away from the kingdom of the devil and transferred into God’s kingdom. In Baptism we put on Christ and receive forgiveness of sins, so that the devil can no longer successfully accuse us. We can now in faith, in the shelter of our Baptismal covenant, defend ourselves against the tempter and successfully resist him.

Col. 1:12-13: Giving thanks unto the Father, Which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.

Col. 2:12: Buried with Him in Baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead.

Gal. 3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Rom. 8:34: Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, That is risen again.

1 Joh. 4:4: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 Joh. 5:4: This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

How does Baptism deliver from death?

Baptism delivers us from death because it takes away the sting of death, which is sin, and unites us with Christ Jesus. Thus, temporal death cannot harm baptized, believing Christians, and eternal death or damnation has no power over them, but they are in Christ, live with Him and Christ lives in them. Temporal death is the gate to eternal life for Christians.

1 Cor. 15:55-57: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom. 8:1: There is therefore now no more condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.

How does Holy Baptism give the forgiveness of sins?

What does Baptism give or profit? 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? 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.

Because in Baptism we through faith put on the Lord Jesus Christ, His righteousness therefore covers all our sin, original sin as well as actual sins, and we are cleansed with His blood.

Gal. 3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Acts 2:38: Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

Acts 22:16: Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins.

Heb. 10:22: Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

What is the responsibility of sponsors?

The sponsors testify that the child has been properly baptized, pray for the child, assist in his Christian training and, when necessary, assume responsibility for it.

Why are infants also to be baptized?

Infants are to be baptized because

1. They are included in all nations.
   

   Matt. 28:19: Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing...



2. They too are spiritually dead, and must be born again through faith in Christ in order to be saved.
   

   Joh. 3:3,5: Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.



3. The covenant of grace and the promise of the kingdom of heaven also belong to children. Therefore, the seal of the covenant and of the promise, Baptism, also belongs to them.
   

   Gen. 17:7: I will establish... an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
   
   Acts 2:38-39: Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children.
   
   Mark 10:14: Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God.



4. The Holy Spirit creates faith also in infants.
   

   Mark 10:14-15: Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
   
   Matt. 18:6: Whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me...
   
   Matt. 21:16: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise.



5. Baptism replaced circumcision.
   

   Col. 2:11-12: In Whom (Christ) also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; buried with Him in Baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead.



6. Through Baptism, the Holy Spirit creates faith and regenerates.
   

   Col. 2:12: Buried with Him in Baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God.



7. Baptism belongs to the entire Church of Christ, to which also believing children belong.
   

   Eph. 5:25-26: Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word.



8. God has not given us any other means besides Baptism, through which infants can believe and become partakers of the redemption.
   

   Matt. 18:10-11: Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven. For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost.



9. The Apostles baptized entire households.
   
   Assignment: Read Acts 10 and 11: the household of Cornelius, 16:13- 15: of Lydia, 16:25-34: of the jailor of Philippi, 18:8: of Crispus, and 1 Cor. 1:16: of Stephanas.
   
   The church father, Origen (182-254): “The Church has, from the Apostles, received the custom of also baptizing infants.”
   
   Luther: “Having come to be baptized and... as the officiant in the stead of Christ administers the Sacrament, Christ blesses infants, giving them faith and the kingdom of heaven.” (Church Postil)