The Augsburg Confession of 1530 Article IX: Baptism

ARTICLE IX Baptism 1 Concerning Baptism, our churches teach that Baptism is necessary for salvation [Mark 16:16]…

Mark 16:16 Mark 16:16 “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

John 3:5-6 John 3:5 “Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”

…and that God’s grace is offered through Baptism ARTICLE IX Baptism …and that God’s grace is offered through Baptism [Titus 3:4–7].

Titus 3:4-7 Titus 3:4 “When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

ARTICLE IX Baptism 2 They [(our churches)] teach that children are to be baptized [Acts 2:38–39].

Acts 2:38-39 Acts 2:38 “Peter replied, "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 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-- for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Titus 2:11 Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”

ARTICLE IX Baptism Being offered to God through Baptism, they are received into God’s grace.

Acts 16:14-15 Acts 16:14 “One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us.”

Acts 16:33-34 Acts 16:33-34 “At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God-- he and his whole family.”

ARTICLE IX Baptism 3 Our churches condemn the Anabaptists, who reject the Baptism of children, and say that children are saved without Baptism.

Matthew 28:19-20 Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations (ta eqnh), baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Colossians 2:11-13 Colossians 2:11 “In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature… 12 having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins…”

Genesis 17:10-12, 14 Genesis 17:10 “This is My covenant with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. 12 For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or … those who are not your offspring. …14 Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken My covenant."

Mark 10:14 “When Jesus saw this, He was indignant Mark 10:14 “When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”