Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Could cain do well? | Gen 4:7 | sniper | 79782 | ||
inhisname, (Calvinism is absolute truth.) I was just studying some of Calvin's writings, and I found that Calvin and I appear to agree on some issues. As you are a student of Calvin I am sure that you are well versed in his writings. I am excited because I believe this means that you and others who are Calvinists have a point of agreement with me as well. The following are quotes from Calvin's Book IV, chapter 15. (BOOK IV. THE EXTERNAL MEANS OR AIDS BY WHICH GOD INVITES US INTO THE SOCIETY OF CHRIST AND HOLDS US THEREIN. 15. Of Baptism.) "The first object, therefore, for which it is appointed by the Lord, is to be a sign and evidence of our purification, or (better to explain my meaning) it is a kind of sealed instrument by which he assures us that all our sins are so deleted, covered, and effaced, that they will never come into his sight, never be mentioned, never imputed. For it is his will that all who have believed be baptised for the remission of sins (Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38). Hence those who have thought that baptism is nothing else than the badge and mark by which we profess our religion before men, in the same way as soldiers attest their profession by bearing the insignia of their commander, have not attended to what was the principal thing in baptism; and this is, that we are to receive it in connection with the promise, "He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved," (Mark 16: 16.)" Calvin goes on to explain, "And Peter immediately subjoins, that that baptism is ' not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, which is of faith.' Nay, the only purification which baptism promises is by means of the sprinkling of the blood of Christ, who is figured by water from the resemblance to cleansing and washing. Who, then, can say that we are cleansed by that water which certainly attests that the blood of Christ is our true and only laver? So that we cannot have a better argument to refute the hallucination of those who ascribe the whole to the virtue of water than we derive from the very meaning of baptism, which leads us away as well from the visible element which is presented to our eye, as from all other means, that it may fix our minds on Christ alone." Calvin on repentance and baptism: "I know it is a common belief that forgiveness, which at our first regeneration we receive by baptism alone, is after baptism procured by means of penitence and the keys, (see chap. 19 sec. 17.) But those who entertain this fiction err from not considering that the power of the keys, of which they speak, so depends on baptism that it ought not on any account to be separated from it. The sinner receives forgiveness by the ministry of the Church; in other words, not without the preaching of the gospel. And of what nature is this preaching? That we are washed from our sins by the blood of Christ. And what is the sign and evidence of that washing if it be not baptism? We see, then, that that forgiveness has reference to baptism." I could go on, but this post would get ridiculously long (if it hasn't already). Besides, since you are a student of Calvin I don't need to quote all of what you already know. God bless you. sniper |
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2 | Could cain do well? | Gen 4:7 | Reformer Joe | 79864 | ||
You left part of it out, sniper: "For he did not mean to intimate that our ablution and salvation are perfected by water, or that water possesses in itself the virtue of purifying, regenerating, and renewing; NOR DOES HE MEAN THAT IT IS THE CAUSE OF SALVATION, but only that the knowledge and certainty of such gifts are perceived in this sacrament. This the words themselves evidently show. For Paul connects together the word of life and baptism of water, as if he had said, by the gospel the message of our ablution and sanctification is announced; by baptism this message is sealed. " "We have a proof of this in Cornelius, the centurion, who, after he had been previously endued with the graces of the Holy Spirit, was baptised for the remission of sins, not seeking a fuller forgiveness from baptism, but a surer exercise of faith; nay, an argument for assurance from a pledge. It will, perhaps, be objected, Why did Ananias say to Paul that he washed away his sins by baptism, (Acts 22:16; cf. ch 9:17-18) if sins are not washed away by the power of baptism? I answer, we are said to receive, procure, and obtain, whatever according to the perception of our faith is exhibited to us by the Lord, whether he then attests it for the first time, or gives additional confirmation to what he had previously attested. All then that Ananias meant to say was, Be baptised, Paul, that you may be assured that your sins are forgiven you. In baptism, the Lord promises forgiveness of sins: receive it, and be secure." Calvin was not an advocate of baptismal regeneration at all. He did stress its importance as a sacrament (as a sign and confirmation of salvation by faith alone), but never ascribed regeneration to baptism. A couple of other things to mention: 1. Calvin sprinkled, and Calvin baptized infants. I don't think his views can be portrayed to be nearly as close to yours as you might have suggested. 2. Not everyone who holds to the doctrines of grace agree with Calvin on the Lord's Supper and baptism. One can be classified a "Calvinist" without agreeing with everything in Calvin's Institutes. --Joe! |
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3 | Could cain do well? | Gen 4:7 | sniper | 79873 | ||
--Joe!, I don't think there is any doubt even within the quote you posted that Calvin believed baptism was for the forgiveness of sins. Calvin believed as I do that the power was not in the water but in God. I do not disagree that he had it wrong when it comes to sprinkling and baptizing infants. You can classify me as a Biblicist. sniper |
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4 | Could cain do well? | Gen 4:7 | Reformer Joe | 79888 | ||
"I don't think there is any doubt even within the quote you posted that Calvin believed baptism was for the forgiveness of sins." If you think that Calvin believed that someone was not saved until baptized, there is indeed a great deal of doubt. You may choose to believe as you will, but please do not mischaracterize the theology of others to make them agree with you when they did not. "Calvin believed as I do that the power was not in the water but in God." But you believe justification does not occur until baptism. Re-read Calvin's understanding of Ananias and Saul. He clearly considered Saul to be forgiven prior to "washing away his sins." Whether Calvin was right or wrong, it is a matter of fact that such was his belief. --Joe! |
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