What Does Baptism Do?
By Brian W. Thomas
05/01/26
21mins

What Does Baptism Do?

This is an excerpt from the third chapter of By Water and the Word: God’s Gift of Baptism for You by Brian Thomas (1517 Publishing, 2026), pgs 52-60.
The Tree That Sweetens Every Sorrow
Bradley Gray
Bradley Gray
04/30/26

The Tree That Sweetens Every Sorrow

Even when the bitter places sink down deep into our bones, the Restorer never relinquishes his grip on you.
A Review of
Amy Mantravadi
Amy Mantravadi
04/28/26

A Review of "To Live Well: To Live Well: Practical Wisdom for Moving Through Chaotic Times" by Alan Noble

To Live Well is therefore not a general advice book, but a message suffused with the gospel.

All Articles

Wade Johnston
Wade Johnston
11/19/18

Enough is Enough

When we say in the benediction, “The LORD make His face shine on you,” grace is what we mean.
Jason Lane
Jason Lane
11/04/18

Epistle: Hebrews 9:24-28 (Proper 27, Series B)

Two major themes seem to be running through the readings for the 25th Sunday after Pentecost. The first weaves together the widow who gave of her poverty in Mark 12 and the story of the widow of Zarephath from 1 Kings 17, who also gave to the prophet everything that she had… However, the other theme comes by way of the Epistle from Hebrews 9:24-28, which is about the temple made without hands.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
11/02/18

How Luther Pointed Me to Christ in the Old Testament

Jesus is the Word of God. God’s Word—on two legs (John 1:14). I’d read it in the first chapter of John’s Gospel many, many times.
Sam P. Schuldheisz
Sam P. Schuldheisz
10/30/18

The Tolkien Option: Consolation and Eucatastrophe

Consolation is the breath of life filling our lungs, hearts, and minds with the fresh, incorruptible air of the new creation.
Joel Hess
Joel Hess
10/24/18

The Gospel is Only for Consumers

Perhaps the answer to creating a healthier church and a more invested people is found in preaching more clearly the full freeing Gospel.
Robert Kolb
Robert Kolb
10/21/18

Preaching on Fear

In the last two decades U.S. Americans have given way to fear of many things: economic decline, loss of values, limits on our personal rights, to name a few. Too many of us live with some sense of threat and menace hanging over our heads and haunting our hearts.
David Rufner
David Rufner
10/17/18

The Gift of Belonging

It is only when individuals are bound together in community that they become fully human.
Robert Kolb
Robert Kolb
10/14/18

The Preacher as Conversation Partner

Good communication depends on trust to make such conversation work effectively. The truth springs, first, from God's own promise and the punch put into that promise by the mysterious power of the Holy Spirit.
Chad Bird
Chad Bird
10/13/18

A Lament for Hurricane Victims

Here is a lament I’ve written especially for victims of hurricanes. May it be for you, for your family, or for your church, a way to put into prayer the anguish of your souls.
Bonnie Petroschuk
Bonnie Petroschuk
10/09/18

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know

I have been very busy lately, trying to understand things.
Tate Barber
Tate Barber
09/27/18

I May Not Be A Smart Man, But I Know What The Gospel Is

I am not a good Lutheran. I have only been around reformation theology for a few years.
Donavon Riley
Donavon Riley
09/25/18

I’d Never Go to That Church

Would you go to the church on the corner knowing that the pastor is an ex-con?
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