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Baptism with water in the name of the Holy Trinity is always efficacious because it is God's work alone not an act of man. It is beneficial when received by faith alone.

(Fred) Is it efficacious for Roman Catholics as well? Furthermore, where does scripture teach that baptism is a work of God alone so that it begets regeneration?

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John the Baptist was regenerated and given faith in the womb by the outward word of Mary. This is proven because joy is a fruit that follows faith. If an unborn child in the womb can be given faith, then surely a child can receive faith through the outward word of Baptism.

(Fred) So you would argue that the experiences of John the Baptist, the last of all OT prophets and the forerunner of Jesus Christ, is normative for all believers? Faith must be acknowleged by the recepient by repentance, a changed life and conforming to Christlike holiness. All children who are then baptized and are regenerated under your system should demonstrate that saving faith with out a doubt. That still leaves my other question unanswered: Can baptized, regenerated Children who grow up to deny the faith of Lutheranism, or Christianity in general, be said to have "lost their salvation."

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Lutherans don't keep a scoreboard of conversions based on baptisms or preaching. We are commanded to baptize and to preach. We know baptism and preaching are efficacious. That is enough.

(Fred) Again, I would apprecitate some passages that specifically states that baptism is efficacious. I know God uses the channel of preaching to bring saving faith to a sinner, but where does the Bible teach that water baptism plays this role?

Fred

"Ah, sitting - the great leveler of men. From the mightest of pharaohs to the lowest of peasants, who doesn't enjoy a good sit?" M. Burns