I have written a new article which is up on JustandSinner.com on the Sacrament of baptism. It is primarily an explanation and exegetical defense of baptismal regeneration. Go to JustandSinner.com or get the direct link here. Also, make sure to "like" JustandSinner.com on Facebook or follow JustandSinner on twitter for continual updates.
Excellent piece. Has been waiting for something like this for sometime. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI should probably preface this by saying I appreciate your work and your blog.
ReplyDeleteI would like to point out that the Westminster Confession teaches that for the elect baptism confers what it promises by the power of the Holy Ghost. It also obliquely teaches that grace and salvation are ordinarily annexed unto baptism. Now I'd reluctantly have to admit that a lot of reformed would twitch when reviewing that or would try to gut what it means but it really is pretty straightforward in the Confession.
V. Although it be a great sin to contemn or neglect this ordinance, yet grace and salvation are not so inseparably annexed unto it as that no person can be regenerated or saved without it, or that all that are baptized are undoubtedly regenerated.
VI. The efficacy of baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered; yet, notwithstanding, by the right use of this ordinance, the grace promised is not only offered, but really exhibited and conferred by the Holy Ghost, to such (whether of age or infants) as that grace belongeth unto, according to the counsel of God's own will, in his appointed time.
May I suggest that your argument lacks a key element: the cleansing or purifying typology of water In the OT as the basis of baptism. While you make passing reference to this, your NT exegesis would be stronger by undergirding this aspect.
ReplyDeleteSteve, perhaps I should do some more work in that area. Thanks.
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