Baptismal Service

I had the privilege of baptizing my two newest grandchildren, Owen and Ella in the Summer of 2008. It has been a passion of mine to ensure that people understand the meaning of baptism. I am sharing the order of service to show why we need baptism and how the Word of God supports this important ritual.


Owen Dale Fruehauf and Ella Jan Fruehauf

Presiding Minister: Rev. David Fruehauf

Grace Free Lutheran Church, Maple Grove Minnesota

Sunday, July 20, 2008

The Separation from God

The Psalmist, David, said “Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

The Need for a New Spiritual Birth

Jesus said “if anyone is not born again from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God…if anyone is not born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, but what is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

The Command to Baptize and to Teach

Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all people by baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and by teaching them everything I have commanded you.”

The Spiritual Union with the Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The Apostle Paul says “all of us who were baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized into His death…We were buried with Him so that, as Christ was raised from the dead with the same glory as the Father, we too will live a new life.”

The Water as Symbol of Saving Grace

The apostle Peter tells how God used water in the Old and New Testaments as a symbol to signify salvation: “…God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also…not the removal of dirt from the body but the response of a good conscience toward God. Baptism saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Today, Owen and Ella will become born again children of God. Their new spiritual relationship with their Heavenly Father is described by the Psalmist, David: “You brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother’s breast…From my birth I have relied on you.” This new relationship with their Heavenly Father must be nurtured and encouraged by teaching them the Word of God, teaching them how to pray and how to worship the Lord as they grow in maturity. This is preparing them for the time when, with the help of the Holy Spirit, each one will make a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The Prayers, Promises and Commitment of the Parents and Sponsors

The Presentation for Baptism by water and Spirit in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.


The Closing Pastoral Prayer