2. Our first Sacrament is Baptism. How does our Catechism answer the question, "What is Baptism"? What is the external means in Baptism? What kind of water must we use when we baptize a person? If we have no water, we cannot baptize. But the water in Baptism is not simple, common water; what, then, is it?--Baptism is the water comprehended in God's command. What command did Christ give His disciples before He ascended into heaven? Matt. 28,19. Who, therefore, has instituted Baptism? Who, at the present time, ordinarily performs this sacred act? In which case can and should every Christian do it? Christ has commanded us to baptize? What does the word baptize mean?--Which is the word of God connected with the water in Baptism? We are baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, in the name of the Triune God. God's name is God Himself. We are baptized in God Himself, in the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. What does God bestow upon us in Baptism? God there gives us Himself as our true Father and accepts us as His dear children. Since the water of Baptism is connected with God's word and name, it is indeed not common water, but a gracious water of life.-- Whom are we to baptize according to God's command? What is meant by the word _nations_? We make a distinction in baptizing adults and children. When do we baptize adults? We baptize our children in their infancy, when they are still babies, not able to be instructed in the Word of God. We instruct them in the doctrines of God's Word after they have been baptized, when they are able to understand and to learn the Word of God. What kind of schools do we Christians therefore establish? Which word of Christ induces us to baptize our little children? Mark 10,14. To whom are our children brought in Baptism? What does the Holy Ghost kindle in them by Baptism? In Holy Baptism our children become God's children. Christ takes them up in His arms and blesses them.