The Summit

A summer leadership camp gives a high school student an opportunity to confess what Lutherans believe about Baptism.

by Adriane Dorr

Nestled in a ridge of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, lies a century-old hotel called The Summit. Lacking elevators and air-conditioning, The Summit was my home for two weeks this summer. I, along with 182 young adults, had gone there to attend a Christian leadership camp and learn how to deal with college professors and fellow students who may challenge our faith.

The morning hours were spent in the classroom. Lectures were given by a variety of conservative professors and speakers. Topics ranged from Augustine and Pelagious to Relativism to The Biblical Christian Worldview. After digesting a heavy courseload in the morning, we’d break for lunch. Then after a mid-afternoon lecture, we were free to go do what we wanted.

The majority of young adults at The Summit were nondenominational Christians. Once they learned that I was a Missouri Synod Lutheran, they were very interested in debating the subjects of Baptism and Holy Communion.

Much time was spent on the hotel’s front porch discussing whether Baptism was merely a symbol or a means of grace. One of the young men that I got to know through daily discussions over Baptism finally told me one day that he believed I was going straight to hell. He said because I hadn’t personally asked Christ to dwell in my heart, I most certainly was not a Christian. When the two of us continued to argue over what Baptism is, I couldn’t use the words of Martin Luther in my response. The man would only accept the biblical references I had to support my beliefs. Luther’s Small Catechism was definitely out of the question!

The debate between us grew until we were writing each other notes in class, trying to prove our point to one another. I passed him a note with Romans 6:3-5 written on it, “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.” He wrote back, “Providing we receive Jesus.”

It then began to make sense to me. The majority of young adults at the camp wanted to WORK at their salvation. They didn’t understand that God gives us His salvation freely. They didn’t understand that Baptism requires no effort on the part of the receiver. To them, Baptism was merely a symbol, useful only as an outward sign of a person’s inner decision.

But Lutherans believe differently. Luther’s Small Catechism asks, “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.” That certainly doesn’t sound like an ordinary symbol to me! No, the old Adam within us dies daily and a new man arises—all because of Christ’s redemptive work through Baptism. And what does the Lord require of us in return? “It is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey Him?” Note that the catechism does not say God requires us to receive Him into our hearts or witness to a certain number of unbelievers. He only asks that we respond to His goodness (i.e. baptism, in love and adoration).

I had to explain to several bewildered young adults that the water of Baptism, as Luther says, “Is nothing else than a divine water, not that the water in itself is nobler than other water, but that God’s Word and commandment are added to it.” Well then, they wondered, ‘how can children be baptized if they do not yet comprehend God’s Word’? Easy.

1) All people sin.

2) Babies are people.

3) Therefore, babies sin.

4) Sinners need forgiveness.

5) Babies are sinners.

6) Then babies also need forgiveness.

And they can get that saving faith through Baptism! How truly good God is!

When my friends at The Summit saw that it didn’t help to keep arguing with me, they tried one last angle. “If Christ won salvation for us on the cross, why do people need baptism?” Simple. He dishes out that rescuing salvation and forgiveness through the sacrament of Baptism. And that is why Lutherans make the sign of the cross on themselves—to remember their Baptism and the sign that was made on them at that time. That concept certainly confused most of the non-denominational Christians.

Well, by this time, most of my friends and some professors were either slightly peeved at me, totally confused, or interested. I was called hard-headed, stubborn, and unrelenting. One professor told me that God will deal harshly with me for not understanding Baptism correctly and for not being tolerant of others’ views.

Some of my friends still e-mail me regarding Baptism. The young man who said I am going to hell, signs his e-mails “Remember to confess with your mouth.” He is obviously as set in his ways, as I am. But, from my experiences at The Summit, I have gained knowledge of my faith, experience in explaining my beliefs, and a greater sense of thankfulness to God for His free and life-giving gifts.

Adriane Dorr is a High School student in Marcus, Iowa.