What Baptism accomplishes:
The Genesisvorlesung
Baptismum habet
promissionem, quod cum Spiritu sancto regeneret . . . (Baptism has the promise that, which the Holy
Spirit, regenerates.) (WA 42,170,26f. = LW 1,228 on Gen. 3:23f)
The variety and vigour of the language
in which Luther describes what baptism conveys or effect is fully reflected in
the Lectures on Genesis. Luther does not limit himself to the language
of new birth, or the forgiveness of sins. Baptism sets right and cleanses the
heart. (WA 43,453,1f. = LW 5,35 on Gen. 26:8; Christus primum vult nos
baptisari, ut annimum corrigatur et purgetur) It justifies; (WA 42,612,13 =
LW 3,89f. on Gen. 17:1; Nos per Baptismum, cum credimum promissioni,
iustifacumur) readmits to Paradise; (WA 43,424,25ff. = LW 4,401 on Gen.
25:31-34: Sic Baptismi usus is est, et ex gremio matris et ex sepulchro
transferar et reponar in paradisum, ex morte in vitam) delivers form the hand
of the devil and brings to God. (WA 43,525,17ff. = LW 5,141 on Gen. 27:28f.: Quando
baptiso te in nominee patris et filii et spiritus sancti, perinde est, ac si
dicerem: rapio te ex minibus Diaboli, et offero te Deo, idque vere et realiter)
(Jonathan D. Trigg, “Baptism
in the theology of Martin Luther simper ES in Motu Et initio” [PhD thesis; University
of Durham, 1991], 138)
