golter's mussings may 2020

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

  • PANDEMIC FEAR AND BAPTISM.

    May 07, 2020

    There appears no connection at all.

     

    Well, ponder more.

     

    Luther drew great strength from his baptism. He writes: “Wemust regard baptism and put it to use in such a way that we may draw strengthand comfort from it when our sins or conscience oppress us, and say: ‘I ambaptized!’ And if I have been baptized, I have the promise that I shall besaved and have eternal life, both in soul and body,’” (Large Catechism, IV,par. 44).

     

    I agree.

     

    The Holy Spirit alludes to the fact, power, and promise ofBaptism all over the place in Scripture.

     

    Here’s one example. Peter compares the power of Baptism toNoah’s Flood! (1 Peter 3:18-21) The Holy Spirit boldly says, “Baptism…now savesyou,” (v. 21).

    Please note the words “now” and “saves.” Peter speaks of apast event that works saving power now.

     

    That ongoing saving power is God’s continued work throughthe Word.

     

    Noah and his family could not say: “My skill of boat makingcaused us to survive.” No, God protected the boat and used water to destroy theunbelievers and save those who believed in Noah’s preaching. All credit goes toGod. Noah’s ongoing believing is all God’s work. Again, all credit goes to God.

     

    Some believe Baptism is our act of obedience, ourcommitment. Sadly that removes the promise and power from God and puts it onme.

     

    I don’t know about you, but I don’t trust me.

     

    It’s best to do it God’s way. Don’t take it from Him.

     

    That’s why Luther ran to his baptism; it became the basisfor his standing before God.

    Well, for St. Peter, too, and St. Paul (Romans 6:3-10; ICor. 6:11, etc.), Jesus (John 3:3-8; Matt. 28:18-20), and the Father (Matt.3:13-17; Luke 3:21-22; Mark 1:9-11). It’s all over the place.

     

    Baptism is God’s foundational saving work. It’s how Heequipped Jesus with the Spirit for the dangers ahead, even the Cross. The samefor you.

     

    So shout out with all confidence.

     


    “I am baptized!”

    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at TrinityLutheran

  • The Holy Spirit is No Skeptic.

    May 15, 2020

    So says Luther.

     

    “The Holy Spirit is no Skeptic, and it is not doubts or pious opinions that He has written on our hearts, but assertions more sure and certain than life itself and all experience,” (Luther’s Works, AE Vo. 33:24).

     

    He writes against the renowned Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus.

     

    Erasmus cited such philosophers as Plato. Philosophers said this; Skeptics say that.

    Erasmus wrote that Luther made too many assertions. Luther should not be so confident and forceful in making statements from Scripture.

     

    And thus, Luther in response wrote: “The Holy Spirit is no Skeptic…”

     

    St. Paul himself makes such bold statements. He preached. He taught. He challenged the philosophers on Mars Hill (Acts 17).

     

    St. Paul puts it this way: “I believed, and so I spoke,” (2 Cor. 4:13).

     

    He credits his boldness to the “Spirit of faith.” The Holy Spirit made Paul bold.

    Then Paul goes onto say that the basis for his boldness is the crucified and resurrected Christ (2 Cor. 4:14).

     

    The Devil wants you to doubt. Doubt brings uncertainty; doubt brings hesitation to speak.

     

    “Did God really say,” is the Devil’s ongoing attack.

     

    The Bible is sure and true. Believe it.

     

    The Holy Spirit is no Skeptic.

     

                                                                                                                                         

    And neither are you.


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran

  • BULLISH ON THE .....

    MAY 21, 2020


    The Church.

     

    Billionaire Warren Buffet - at the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting - spoke for four hours about America and the economically anxious world.

     

    He was bullish on America. “Nothing can stop America,” he said. “We have faced tougher problems, and the American miracle, the American magic, has always prevailed.”

     

    He indicated that we don’t know what will happen tomorrow or next month. The market is so unpredictable, as is the virus.

     

    Buffet directs investors’ confidence in America’s track record of resilience.

    If this is so for America, how much more so for the Church!

     

    We are bullish on HIS church because it is HIS church, His body of believers.

     

    We don’t need to ponder or fear the unknowns. The market up or downturns do not matter.

     

    The constancy is Christ.

     

    Therefore, our investment in His work is based on Him alone and His success.

     

    Nothing can stop His church.

     

                                                                                                                     

    We are bullish on the Church!


    Pastor Golter is the Senior Pastor at Trinity Lutheran