We believe that Baptism saves us (1 Peter 3:21-22). Baptism is the application of water with the saving Name of God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). In Baptism God creates saving faith in our hearts and washes away the guilt of our sins. This is true for infants and adults alike. (John 3:3-6; Mark 16:16; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:4; Titus 3:5-8)
Concerning Baptism, our churches teach that Baptism is necessary for salvation and that God’s grace is offered through Baptism. They teach that children are to be baptized. Being offered to God through Baptism, they are received into God’s grace. … (Augsburg Confession, article 9)
… The power, work, profit, fruit, and purpose of Baptism is this – to save. For no one is baptized in order that he may become a prince, but, as the words say, that he “be saved.” We know that to be saved is nothing other than to be delivered from sin, death, and the devil. It means to enter into Christ’s kingdom and to live with Him forever. (Large Catechism: Part 4, paragraphs 24-25)
and the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). We further believe that God has established the Office of the Ministry (the Office of Pastor) for the purpose of administering these means of grace (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:14-15; Luke 10:16; John 20:19-23; Romans 10:14-17).