“Sin’s power is to point the finger; death is to believe sin:  ‘Yes, you are right, that sin belongs to me.’ But to believe sin is to call God a liar, and negate Christ’s cross. Baptism is the only thing that stops the voice of sin along with its accusing finger once and for all, but of course, it stops it only for faith by putting another word from Christ in the ear: ‘I have taken the sin of the world, including yours.’ Faith that trusts this promise cannot sin anymore – it is impossible.”

– Steven D. Paulson, “Lutheran Theology” (160)

Question:

How central is the gift of Holy Baptism in modern preaching? Is it critically associated with a believers sanctification or is it viewed as an old rite without much practical benefit?

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