Family Catechesis—Baptism & Ephesians 6:10-24
Catechism through the Church Year
The Catechism - The Sacrament of Baptism (Part Two)
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.
Which are these words and promises of God?
Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Mark: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
Hymn of the Week: To Jordan Came the Christ, Our Lord, Stanzas 3-4 (LSB 406)
These truths on Jordan’s banks were shown
By mighty word and wonder.
The Father’s voice from heav’n came down,
Which we do well to ponder:
“This man is My belovèd Son,
In whom My heart has pleasure.
Him you must hear, and Him alone,
And trust in fullest measure
The word that He has spoken.”
There stood the Son of God in love,
His grace to us extending;
The Holy Spirit like a dove
Upon the scene descending;
The triune God assuring us,
With promises compelling,
That in our Baptism He will thus
Among us find a dwelling
To comfort and sustain us.
Memory Verse for the Week
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Colossians 2:11-12
Hymn of the Month: From Depths of Woe I Cry to Thee (LSB 607)
For further study during the week:
Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation (CPH, 2017), pp. 292-296.
Luther’s Small Catechism for Kids (CPH, 2021), pp. 96-98.
Divine Service through the Church Year
Gesimatide—Offertory, Offering, and Prayer of the Church
Theme
The grace of Jesus revealed in the Scriptures moves us to pray and give in faith.
Rite and Ceremony: That the People May Learn
What is offered in the General Prayer?
The fruit of our lips in thanksgiving and petition.
Why is it called the General Prayer?
Because in it we pray for all possible blessings to be bestowed not only upon us, but upon all sorts and conditions of men.
How long has this prayer been in use?
It was used in almost its present form in 1553. Its origin may be found in the Apostolic injunction that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men. 1 Tim. 2:1,2.
Are the prayers of the Common Service preferable to free prayers?
Yes. Because they are not the prayers of the Minister, but of the Church; not of a single congregation, but of the whole Church; and because each person may readily take part in them. The needs of God’s people are ever the same, and the beautiful forms, which the Church has developed in her experience through the ages, give full expression to the believer’s wants at all times.
Ephesians 6:10-24—Armor of God & Final Greetings
Outline of Ephesians 6:10-24 (Winger, Ephesians, p. 163)
6:10-17—Epilogue: “The Armor of God: Baptismally Enclosed in Christ”
Baptismal image: the baptismal robe is a suit of armor which clothes the Christian with the victorious Christ
6:18-24—Epistolary Conclusion: “Fellowship in Prayer, Commendation, and Blessing”
Prayer for Paul (6:18-20)
Commendation of the letter bearer (6:21-22)
Final greetings and blessing (6:23-24)
6:10-17—Epilogue: “The Armor of God: Baptismally Enclosed in Christ”
Baptismal image: the baptismal robe is a suit of armor which clothes the Christian with the victorious Christ
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
6:18-24—Epistolary Conclusion: “Fellowship in Prayer, Commendation, and Blessing
Prayer for Paul (6:18-20)
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
6:18-24—Epistolary Conclusion: “Fellowship in Prayer, Commendation, and Blessing
Commendation of the letter bearer (6:21-22)
21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.
6:18-24—Epistolary Conclusion: “Fellowship in Prayer, Commendation, and Blessing
Final greetings and blessing (6:23-24)
23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Traditional Vesting Prayers
Make the sign of the holy Cross and say:
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
At washing the hands:
Give virtue to my hands, O Lord, that being cleansed from all stain, I might serve You with purity of mind and body (Psalm 51 & 26; Hebrews 9:14).
At the Cassock:
O Lord, You are my chosen portion and my cup; You hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance (Psalm 16:5-6).
At the Amice:
Place, O Lord, upon my head the helmet of salvation, that I may repel the assaults of the enemy (Ephesians 6:17).
At the Alb:
Cleanse me, O Lord, and purify my heart, that, washed in the Blood of the Lamb, I may attain unto everlasting joys(Revelation 7:14 & 19:8; Galatians 3:27; Romans 13:14; Ephesians 4:24).
At the Cincture:
Gird me, O Lord, with the cincture of purity, and extinguish in my loins the desires of lust, that the virtue of continence and chastity may ever abide within me (Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 6:14; 1 Peter 1:13).
At the Maniple:
Make me worthy, O Lord, to bear the maniple of weeping and sorrow, in order that I may joyfully reap the reward of my labors (Psalm 126 [Vulgate of verse 6: portantes manipulos suos]).
At the Stole:
Restore to me, O Lord, the stole of immortality, which I lost by the transgression of our first parents. Grant that, although I am unworthy to approach Your sacred mysteries, I may be made worthy of everlasting joys (Luke 15:22; Revelation 6:11; 7:9, 13, 14; 22:14 [Greek: στολή]).
At the Chasuble:
O Lord, Who said: My yoke is easy, and My burden is light; make me so able to bear it that I may obtain Your favor. Amen (Matthew 11:30; 2 Timothy 1:8; Colossians 3:14).
Baptized Life of the Entire Priesthood vs. Preaching Office
White Garments (Amice, Alb, and Cincture)
The benefits, blessings, life, and work shared by the priesthood of all believers purchased by the blood of Jesus poured out on the cross and used to wash us in the water and Word of Holy Baptism.
Liturgical Color Garments (Maniple, Stole, and Chasuble)
The particular life and work to be carried out by the members of the priesthood of all believers who have also been called by God and placed by God into the apostolic preaching office.
The maniple is the link between these two sets of vestments. All members of the priesthood of believers must labor and suffer in their daily callings before the Last Day.
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