_Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved, but He that believeth not shall be damned._ 1. In our last lesson we learned what Baptism is. _"Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's word."_ Now the question arises, What good does it do one to be baptized? _What does Baptism give, or profit?_ Baptism must indeed be a great and wonderful thing. God Himself instituted it. He put His name, His word, into it. Where His name and His word are, there, indeed, must be great, eternal blessings. 2. Our Catechism answers the question: _"What does Baptism give, or profit?"_ by saying: _"It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare."_ Three great blessings of Baptism are mentioned: 1. It works forgiveness of sins; 2. it delivers from death and the devil; 3. it gives eternal salvation. It does this because of the words and promises of God: _"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."_ Mark 16,16. How can we prove by these words that Holy Baptism also works forgiveness of sins and delivers from death and the devil? Christ merely says that he who believes and is baptized shall be _saved._ Remember, however, that there is no salvation where there is not forgiveness of sins and deliverance from death and the devil. _Salvation consists in forgiveness of sins and deliverance from death and the devil._ If Baptism gives us salvation, it must also work forgiveness of sins and deliver us from death and the devil. 3. _Baptism works forgiveness of sins. "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."_ Acts 2,38. How are we to understand this statement: Baptism works forgiveness of sins? Has not Christ Himself merited this heavenly gift? Christ, our Savior, has indeed, by His sufferings and death, atoned for our sins; _He has redeemed us from all our sins and so indeed earned for us, for all men, forgiveness of sins._ But Holy Baptism is the _means_ by which the Holy Ghost _makes the forgiveness_ which Christ has earned for us _our own._ In baptism He presents to us and gives us this great blessing. The apostle says: _"Ye are all the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus; for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."_ Gal. 3,26.27. We are baptized _into Christ._ In baptism _we put on Christ_ with all His merits. As in a beautiful, white, spotless garment we are clothed in baptism in the perfect righteousness Christ has merited for us. _Baptism works forgiveness by making Christ's righteousness our own._