Question: How do you know yourself to be a son of God in fact as well as in name?
Answer: Because I am baptized in the name of God the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (Calvin’s Strasbourg catechism)
Rich Lusk provides fascinating insight into John Williamson Nevin’s assessment of baptismal efficacy. I would be interested to hear what you think about it. Here is what he says:
“According to Nevin, children of Christian parents were not conceived or born as Christians in the full sense; rather they were made Christians at the font… Prior to baptism, the children of believers were entitled to all the rights and privileges of the covenant promise, but those blessings did not actually become their true possession until baptism. Grace was bestowed not naturally, through conception by regenerate parents, but supernaturally and sacramentally, through the new birth of baptism.”
Wow. Does that sound consistent with our Reformed Tradition or too close to Rome? What do you think?
Dude, that is too close to ROME. I get what he is saying but baptism is a Sign and Seal of the promises but FAITH is still requisite for regeneration and the fullest application of the promises. I agree that they are church members (visible church) but not regenerated.
Comment by Tim Russell — May 17, 2008 @ 1:11 am |
No way! If that were so, we are not saved by Christ alone, but by all the stuff added on.
Comment by Torchbearer — May 17, 2008 @ 1:51 am |
I don’t care if it is close to Rome or close to Geneva. It does not seem to be close to Scripture. Much, much, much of sacramental teaching arises from people pondering and reflecting on the sacraments to the point that their pondering and reflection leads them far away from scripture. We should stand firmly upon what is either expressly taught in Scripture, or which can be deduced through good and necessary consequence. But we should be very careful that we NOT allow our sacramental hopes and dreams to become equated with Scripture. This is an interesting reflection, but I trust that it does not find expression in your teaching, bros.
Comment by Randy — May 17, 2008 @ 2:12 pm |