"Small Catechism 3" lyrics
How can water do such great things?
Answer: it is not the water indeed that does them
But the Word of God that is in and with the water
And faith which trusts such Word of God in the water
For without the Word of God, the water is simple water and no baptism
But with the Word of God, it is a baptism
That is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost
As Saint Paul says, Titus chapter 3
"By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost
Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior
That, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life"
This is a faithful saying
Answer: it is not the water indeed that does them
But the Word of God that is in and with the water
And faith which trusts such Word of God in the water
For without the Word of God, the water is simple water and no baptism
But with the Word of God, it is a baptism
That is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost
As Saint Paul says, Titus chapter 3
"By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost
Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior
That, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life"
This is a faithful saying
