In the 1960s my mother studied to be a nurse, and she told me that they were taught how to baptize a patient if requested. Apparently more people from that era felt that baptism was an essential ingredient of salvation. Modern Christianity seems to emphasize the sinner's prayer over baptism.
Is this a real change in Christianity? Evangelical churches have grown into the dominant denomination during this time period, so I wondered if that might be a factor in the change I perceive?
That would be the big factor of what you're seeing. Bill Bright and Billy Sunday were instrumental in introducing ideas like "The Four Spiritual Laws" and the "Sinner's Prayer" while Billy Graham's crusades turned the 19th century idea of the "Anxious Bench" (one of the "New Measures" introduced by Charles Finney and the Revivalist tradition) into a staple of the Neo-Evangelical movement. Neo-Evangelicalism is, today, just known as Evangelicalism. As such as Evangelicalism grew through the influence of politics (e.g. Francis Schaeffer and the rise of the Religious Right and Moral Majority) and the populist Jesus People movement which developed into the thriving Evangelical subculture of the 1980s and 90s (including the innovation of Contemporary Christian Music or CCM); along with various Fundamentalist streams, in particular those which subscribed to Dispensationalism which also grew in popularity through books and media in the 80s and 90s (Hal Lindsay's
The Late Great Planet Earth and the insane popularity of Tim LaHaye's
Left Behind series); this has all played a role in what you're seeing.
However, for those of us still in traditional Christian churches (Lutherans, Catholics, Orthodox, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc) Baptism remains a fundamental part of our identity as Christians and our soteriology.
Here is how the Large Catechism (one of the confessional texts in the Lutheran Book of Concord) puts it:
"
In these words you must note, in the first place, that here stand God's commandment and institution, lest we doubt that Baptism is divine, not devised nor invented by men. For as truly as I can say, No man has spun the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer out of his head, but they are revealed and given by God Himself, so also I can boast that Baptism is no human trifle, but instituted by God Himself, moreover, that it is most solemnly and strictly commanded that we must be baptized or we cannot be saved, lest any one regard it as a trifling matter, like putting on a new red coat. For it is of the greatest importance that we esteem Baptism excellent, glorious, and exalted, for which we contend and fight chiefly, because the world is now so full of sects clamoring that Baptism is an external thing, and that external things are of no benefit. But let it be ever so much an external thing, here stand God's Word and command which institute, establish, and confirm Baptism. But what God institutes and commands cannot be a vain, but must be a most precious thing, though in appearance it were of less value than a straw. If hitherto people could consider it a great thing when the Pope with his letters and bulls dispensed indulgences and confirmed altars and churches, solely because of the letters and seals, we ought to esteem Baptism much more highly and more precious, because God has commanded it, and, besides, it is performed in His name. For these are the words, Go ye, baptize; however, not in your name, but in the name of God."
In brief, the Small Catechism puts it this way:
"
IV. The Sacrament of Holy Baptism
As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.
First.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
For Lutherans Baptism is nothing short of the very Means by which God grants new birth, new life, to sinners by which to join them to Jesus Christ in His death and resurrection, thereby granting them forgiveness of all their sins, imparting to them the Holy Spirit and the true righteousness of Jesus Christ by which they are freely justified before God and promised eternal and everlasting life, resurrection from the dead, world without end. Baptism is therefore the very work of God, not man, it is grace, not works. This is also why we baptize infants and small children, because salvation is the gracious work of God, not ourselves, God works the work upon us by His Word and Sacraments apart from ourselves.
Does this mean that an unbaptized person can't be saved? No. We don't put limits on God's abilities and grace; for we see in the Gospel of St. Luke that Jesus gave His Word to the thief, "Today you will be with Me in Paradise." this same Word--the promise of God--is the Word we find in Baptism, this is the Word joined to the water that makes Baptism what it is; and therefore doing what it promises. Jesus Christ tells us in Baptism, "You are Mine, you will be with Me, forever." And He keeps His promises.
-CryptoLutheran
