"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Sunday, June 16, 2024 - Day 168 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Nehemiah 4-6; Acts 2:14-47)
A PROMISE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” (Acts 2:37-39 ESV)
The promise of forgiveness and new life in Jesus is at the heart of the Christian faith. These promises of Jesus are meant for all of us:
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Peter then assures us of the importance of infant Baptism by adding: “For the promise is for you and for your children.”
1. God's own child, I gladly say it:
I am baptized into Christ!
He, because I could not pay it,
Gave my full redemption price.
Do I need earth's treasures many?
I have one worth more than any
That brought me salvation free
Lasting to eternity!
2. Sin, disturb my soul no longer:
I am baptized into Christ!
I have comfort even stronger:
Jesus' cleansing sacrifice.
Should a guilty conscience seize me
Since my Baptism did release me
In a dear forgiving flood,
Sprinkling me with Jesus' blood!
3. Satan, hear this proclamation:
I am baptized into Christ!
Drop your ugly accusation,
I am not so soon enticed.
Now that to the font I've traveled,
All your might has come unraveled,
And, against your tyranny,
God, my Lord, unites with me!
4. Death, you cannot end my gladness:
I am baptized into Christ!
When I die, I leave all sadness
To inherit paradise!
Though I lie in dust and ashes
Faith's assurance brightly flashes:
Baptism has the strength divine
To make life immortal mine.
5. There is nothing worth comparing
To this lifelong comfort sure!
Open-eyed my grave is staring:
Even there I'll sleep secure.
Though my flesh awaits its raising,
Still my soul continues praising:
I am baptized into Christ;
I'm a child of paradise!
("God's Own Child I Gladly Say It," LSB 594)
Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your gracious plan to save sinners from eternal doom by granting complete forgiveness for all who repent and believe. Thank also for the assurance that infants are saved by Baptism. And as ever, THY WILL BE DONE. Amen.
“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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