To proclaim the God of history, we make the Sign of the Cross at the Invocation, at the end of the Nicene Creed and at the close of the service. The pastor announces the faith of our community by making the Sign of the Cross. We respond by making that sign ourselves showing that it is our faith individually as well. Our own theology of baptism suggests that the Sign of the Cross should be more a part of Lutheran piety. Baptism is obviously associated with the Triune name, The creedal confession of the name is intimately associated with baptism, a point made by Dr. David Scaer in his recent book in the confessional Dogmatics Series entitled Baptism .
Baptism is the summary of the Christian faith and the history of salvation.
Dr. Scaer further makes the point that Lutherans consider baptism to have ongoing significance and power in the life of the Christian. Roman Catholic theology demands penance as a way to restore the sinner to his or her baptismal grace. Baptism has power in itself to save us, and that daily we must return to our baptism when we err. Luther's Catechism reminds us that because of the Word of God, baptism is a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Spirit. To inherit Paradise.