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NASB | Genesis 4:7 "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Genesis 4:7 "If you do well [believing Me and doing what is acceptable and pleasing to Me], will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well [but ignore My instruction], sin crouches at your door; its desire is for you [to overpower you], but you must master it." |
Subject: Could cain do well? |
Bible Note: 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! |