Gerhard and Walther

As the Eternal Father, at the baptism of Christ, declared, “This is my beloved Son” so all who believe and are baptized receive the adoption of sons.—Johann Gerhard, Sacred Meditation XVII

Whoever wants to become stronger in his faith must boldly grasp the promises God gives to all penitent sinners, comfort himself with them, build upon them, and ground himself upon them as upon an unshakable rock.—C. F. W. Walther, God Grant It!, p. 821.