As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

First.

1 What is Baptism?

–Answer: Baptism is not simple water only, but it is the water comprehended in God's command and connected with God's Word.

2 Which is that word of God?

–Answer:  Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Matthew : Go ye into all the world and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Secondly.

3 What does Baptism give or profit?

–Answer: 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.

4 Which are such words and promises of God?

–Answer: 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.

Thirdly.

5 How can water do such great things?

–Answer: it is not the water indeed that does them, but the word of God which is in and with the water, and faith, which trusts such word of God in the water. For without the word of God the water is simple water and no baptism. But with the word of God it is a baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Ghost, as St. Paul says, Titus, chapter three: By the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Savior, that, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying.

 Fourthly.

6 What does such baptizing with water signify?

–Answer: It signifies that the old Adam in us should, by daily contrition and repentance, be drowned and die with all sins and evil lusts, and, again, a new man daily come forth and arise; who shall live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Where is this written?

–Answer: St. Paul says Romans, chapter 6 : We are buried with Christ by Baptism into death, that, like as He was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 

Jesus Commands 

In the Great Commission, Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize believers: 

• Matthew 28:19-20- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

New Testament Practice:

The early church practiced baptism as an essential part of the Christian faith:

• Acts 2:38- Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• Acts 22:16- And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Union with Christ

Baptism unites the believer with Christ in His death and resurrection:

• Romans 6:3-4- Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Cleansing and Renewal

Baptism the washing away of sins and spiritual renewal:

• Titus 3:5- Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Visible Sign of Invisible Grace

Baptism is a physical act that conveys spiritual realities. It is a means through which God’s grace is visibly and tangibly given to the believer. Sacraments are "visible words" of God’s promises. 

Indwelling of the Holy Spirit

Through baptism, believers receive the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of their new life in Christ:

• 1 Corinthians 12:13- For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Baptism is not just plain water, but water included in God’s command and combined with God’s word. Martin Luther explains that baptism "works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare."

In summary, baptism is a tangible means of grace because it is a physical act commanded by Christ, through which God imparts His grace, forgives sins, and grants the Holy Spirit. It is a visible sign of the invisible grace that God bestows upon believers, marking their union with Christ and their entry into the Christian community.

As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

1 What is the Sacrament of the Altar?

–Answer: It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, for us Christians to eat and to drink, instituted by Christ Himself.

2 Where is this written?

–Answer: The holy Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and St. Paul, write thus: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread: and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Take, drink ye all of it. This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. This do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.

3 What is the benefit of such eating and drinking?

–Answer: That is shown us in these words: Given and shed for you for the remission of sins; namely, that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

4 How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

–Answer: It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does them, but the words which stand here, namely: Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins. Which words are, beside the bodily eating and drinking, as the chief thing in the Sacrament; and he that believes these words has what they say and express, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

5 Who, then, receives such Sacrament worthily?

–Answer: Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed, a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words: Given and shed for you for the remission of sins. But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unfit; for the words For you require altogether believing hearts. 

Jesus Institution

The Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper with His disciples:

• Matthew 26:26-28- And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Paul's Teaching

The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance and significance of the Lord's Supper:

• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26- For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

Real Presence

This means that Christ's body and blood are truly present "in, with, and under" the forms of bread and wine:

• 1 Corinthians 10:16- The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Forgiveness of Sins

The Lord's Supper is a means through which God imparts forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation to believers:

• Matthew 26:28- For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Visible Sign of Invisible Grace

The Lord's Supper is a physical act that conveys spiritual realities. It is a means through which God’s grace is visibly and tangibly given to the believer.

Spiritual Nourishment

Through the Lord's Supper, believers receive spiritual nourishment and strength for their faith journey:

• John 6:55-56- For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

The Lord's Supper is not just a symbolic act but a true means of grace.  In the Sacrament, Christ gives His true body and blood for the forgiveness of sins and the strengthening of faith.

In summary, the Lord's Supper is a tangible means of grace because it is a physical act commanded by Christ, through which God imparts His grace, forgives sins, and grants spiritual nourishment. It is a visible sign of the invisible grace that God bestows upon believers, marking their union with Christ and their participation in the new covenant.