The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is “the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). Scripture is clear that it is necessary because it “now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21). Through this divine, miraculous washing of water and His Word, God works the forgiveness of sins and gives His Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Because Baptism is God’s work, and not a human work of committing oneself to the Lord, children also should be baptized, because the promise of forgiveness “is for you and for your children” (Acts 2:39).  What parent would not want this gift for their child?

During the Reformation, Martin Luther wrote “Holy baptism was purchased for us through this same blood, which [Christ] shed for us and with which he paid for sin. This blood and its merit and power he put into baptism, in order that in baptism we might receive it. For whenever a person receives baptism in faith this is the same as if he were visibly washed and cleansed of sin with the blood of Christ. For we do not attain the forgiveness of sins through our work, but rather through the death and the shedding of the blood of the Son of God. But he takes this forgiveness of sin and tucks it into baptism” (Luther’s Works 51:325).

If you desire this forgiveness that is "tucked" into Holy Baptism, by all means do not delay. "Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name" (Acts 22:16).

Confession and Absolution is the exclusive authority Christ has given His Church on earth to forgive the sins of those who recognize and confess their sins, who are truly sorry for them, and who rely on Christ’s promise of forgiveness for those who believe in Him as their Savior. 

John 20:22-23 gives us when Christ gives this authority to His Church. Here, having been raised from the dead, Jesus speaks these words to His disciples, whom He commissioned to carry His message of forgiveness to the world: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone their sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 

Although the power to forgive sins (or not forgive them) always belongs to and remains with the Church, we believe Holy Scripture is clear that when called and ordained pastors preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments and declare to penitent sinners that their sins are forgiven, they do this by the command of Christ, who granted this power to the Church. 

The pastors do this not by their own authority but rather by the command and authority of Christ on the basis of their call from the Church to carry out this function. Their word of forgiveness is as valid as if Christ Himself were assuring the penitent sinners of their forgiveness. 

Lutherans teach that in this Sacrament the true body and blood of Jesus Christ are really present under the bread and wine for Christians to eat and to drink, because Jesus said, “Take, eat; this is My body. . . . Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant” (Matthew 26:26–28). Our Lord Jesus Christ is present in this sacred meal to give “the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28), eternal life, and salvation. As He taught His disciples, He also teaches us: “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:54).

For this reason Lutherans agree with and practice the Church’s historic practice of “closed communion.” Since “the cup of blessing” is “a participation in the blood of Christ” and “the bread that we break” is “a participation in the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:16), all who commune receive the actual body and blood of Christ—believers to their abundant blessing, but unbelievers to their eternal harm. Whoever communes “without discerning the body [of Christ] eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:29). So in Christian love, Lutherans protect those who are unworthy and unprepared for Holy Communion by first teaching them their need for Christ, and the forgiveness and life that He gives in the Sacrament. When there is unity in confessing the way, truth, and life of Jesus (John 14:6), we joyously commune together.