The Means of Baptism
All confessions & catechisms · Small Catechism · Holy Baptism
How can water do such great things?
It is not the water that does these things, but the Word of God connected with the water and our faith which relies on that Word. For without the Word of God it is simply water and not Baptism. But when connected with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a gracious water of life and a washing of regeneration in the Holy Spirit.
As Saint Paul says to Titus: "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit... so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy." (Titus 3:5-8a)