Our Savior to the Jordan came

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1 Our Savior to the Jordan came,
The Father's will obeying,
And there by John was He baptized,
His work no more delaying.
He there vouchsafed a cleansing breath
To free from sin's possession,
To rescue us from bitter death
And wash away transgression,
New life in us creating.

2 So hear ye all and ponder well
What God Himself installeth,
What He would have us all believe.
What He a washing calleth.
That water at the font be used,
Is surely His good pleasure,
But with it go His holy Word
and Spirit without measure;
He is the true Baptizer.

3 To show us this with ample proof,
Both words and signs are given.
At Jordan's brink was plainly heard
The Father's voice from heaven:
This is my well beloved Son,
In whom my soul delighteth;
O hear ye Him when ev'ryone
He to Himself inviteth;
Obey His will and teaching.

4 The Son of God is also here,
In tender manhood bending,
And we behold the Spirit, too,
In dove-like form descending.
Thus are we strengthened in our faith,
Which nevermore should waver.
That Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Are present at the laver,
To make our hearts their dwelling.

5 He who rejects this wondrous grace,
The Scripture disbelieving,
Shall have his sins abide with him,
In hell his place receiving.
His outward deeds avail him naught,
His holiness must vanish;
His inborn sin all works annuls,
God such a one must banish:
Himself he cannot rescue.

6 To His disciples Jesus saith:
Go, teach ye every nation:
Man, lost in sin, must needs repent,
To flee from condemnation.
Baptized and having faith in Me,
He shall be saved forever;
A new-born man shall he be called,
Whom naught from Me can sever;
My Kingdom He inherits.

7 Blind sense but water sees and asks:
Pray, how can water save us?
But faith the blood of Christ beholds
That here in truth doth lave us.
It sees this fountain colored red
That here for us is flowing.
To purge us from our inborn sin
And, every grace bestowing,
From all misdeeds to free us.

Source: American Lutheran Hymnal #42

Author: Martin Luther

Luther, Martin, born at Eisleben, Nov. 10, 1483; entered the University of Erfurt, 1501 (B.A. 1502, M.A.. 1503); became an Augustinian monk, 1505; ordained priest, 1507; appointed Professor at the University of Wittenberg, 1508, and in 1512 D.D.; published his 95 Theses, 1517; and burnt the Papal Bull which had condemned them, 1520; attended the Diet of Worms, 1521; translated the Bible into German, 1521-34; and died at Eisleben, Feb. 18, 1546. The details of his life and of his work as a reformer are accessible to English readers in a great variety of forms. Luther had a huge influence on German hymnody. i. Hymn Books. 1. Ellich cristlich lider Lobgesang un Psalm. Wittenberg, 1524. [Hamburg Library.] This contains 8 German h… Go to person page >

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First Line: Our Savior to the Jordan came
Author: Martin Luther

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American Lutheran Hymnal #42

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