VERSION: 9 April 2002
BAPTISM DIALOGUE FROM THE SMALL CATECHISM
The following dialogue from the Small Catechism may be used in several ways: as a question and answer between pastor and congregation, or by two or more readers, or by a Sunday school or kids club group. It might even be dramatised. However, avoid giving the congregation long sections to say, since this is often difficult. It may be best if the congregation ask the questions in the dialogue, as indicated below.
M.
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We come to celebrate the good news of baptism.
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A.
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Baptism is not just water used on its own.
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B.
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It is water used together with God's word, in the way that God has commanded.
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M.
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Our Lord Jesus Christ says:
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R.
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Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
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C.
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What does baptism give us?
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A.
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In baptism God gives us forgiveness of sins, freedom from death and the devil, and life with God forever.
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B.
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God gives these things to everyone who believes what he has promised.
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M.
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Our Lord Jesus Christ says:
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R.
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Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
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C.
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How can water give us God's gifts?
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A.
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We don't get God's gifts in baptism just by using water.
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B.
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We get them by using God's word with the water and by believing what God says.
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A.
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If we use water on its own without God's word, that's not baptism.
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B.
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But when we use God's word with the water, the Holy Spirit shows God's love for us by washing us clean from sin and giving us new life.
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R.
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God saved us because of his mercy... God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Saviour to give us his Spirit. Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.
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This message is certainly true.
C.
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What does baptism mean for everyday living?
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A.
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Because we have been baptised, we should keep on drowning the old nature we were born with; everything selfish and sinful in us has to die.
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B.
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This happens when day after day we are sorry for the wrong things we have done, and ask God to forgive us.
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A.
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And the new nature God has given us in baptism should come to life day after day.
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B.
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We should live as new people, who do what is right and good and live with God forever.
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M.
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What does the Bible say?
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R.
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When we were baptised, we died and were buried with Christ. We were baptised, so that we would live a new life, as Christ was raised to life by the glory of God the Father.
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