Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

—Romans 6:4

Every year, my family looks forward to celebrating the children’s baptismal birthdays. Both of them have a “baptismal birthday box” that contains a collection of treasures from their baptism days: The delicate cloth with an embroidered cross, which the pastor used to dab their tiny foreheads dry. The bulletin from that day’s divine service. The candle that symbolizes Christ as the Light of the world. Photos and cards and other mementos.

And, of course, we eat ice cream cake. Because my family can never turn down a reason to eat ice cream cake.

A highlight of the day is watching the videos that one of our friends made of the baptisms. Just as I did on both occasions, I often tear up with gratitude as I watch my precious babies being brought into God’s kingdom.

Beliefs about baptism vary in Christendom, as I’ve experienced in different churches I’ve attended over the years.

I’ve actually been baptized twice. The first time was at a Southern Baptist church in New York, which I attended with one of my best friends from high school. I answered an altar call on Sunday morning, and not long thereafter, I was baptized via full immersion in the youth group leader’s swimming pool. The second time was in New York City, when I’d been recruited into the International Church of Christ (ICOC), which teaches that you must be baptized into their church to be saved. Once again, I was fully immersed in a swimming pool in a Hunter College dormitory.

I could write a lot more about these experiences, but the main point I want to make is this: in spite of having been baptized two times, I never felt secure in my salvation.

One reason is that both of those churches believe baptism is man’s work. However, the Lutheran church teaches that baptism is God’s work. Forgiveness, life, and salvation are imparted through the water and the Word, as Luther wrote in the Small Catechism:

What benefits does Baptism give?

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

Which are these words and promises of God?

Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16 ESV).

One passage that beautifully speaks to the truth that baptism is God’s work, not ours, is Titus 3:4–7:

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

In the Lutheran church, I’ve also learned that baptism isn’t a one-time ritual but a daily reality in which we have a new chance to repent and “live before God in righteousness and purity forever” (Small Catechism). Baptism is a lifelong source of identity and comfort, and a baptismal birthday is a meaningful opportunity to remember God’s promises to us.

If you don’t currently celebrate baptismal birthdays in your family, I highly recommend it! You and your family can decide how to commemorate that day, but I’d love to offer a few suggestions:

• Light the baptismal candle and pray together, thanking God for the new life we have in Jesus Christ.
• Read relevant Bible passages and verses and/or the “Baptism” section in the Small Catechism.
• Sing a hymn. “All Who Believe and Are Baptized” is a great one, as is “To Jordan Came the Christ Our Lord.”
• Eat ice cream cake.

Baptismal birthdays are a beautiful way to honor God’s ongoing faithfulness to us. May we all mark the day with gratitude and prayer, reassured that our baptism grounds us in our identity in Jesus Christ.

In His love,

Amanda

xoxo

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version^®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.