why do Calvinists reject baptismal regeneration?

[lmnop9876]

I was wondering on what Scriptural (not logical or reasoning) grounds do Reformed Christians generally reject baptismal regeneration? Any help would be appreciated, although we will probably have a sermon on it on Sunday.

 

[seekingpurity047]

First... what is this thing that you call baptismal regeneration?

Randy

 

[Erinwilcox]

First... what is this thing that you call baptismal regeneration?

Randy

Confession: the first time that I was baptized was in a church that believed in baptismal regeneration. However, neither my parent nor I believed it.

Now, for the definition. Baptismal regeneration is the belief that one is saved by baptism; namely that as a person rises from the waters of baptism, the Holy Spirit enters them: saves them.

As to why Reformed believers do not hold to baptismal regeneration, follow this link, http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0573.htm, to Spurgeon's sermon on the very matter. It was by reading this sermon (at the time of attending the afore mentioned church) that my father began to take interest in Reformed Theology.

 

[douglasdotyii]

As a Calvinist, I will try to answer this. Forgive my lazy answer which will not include proof texts or cite the Institutes.

Calvinists emphasize the sovereignty of God. Salvation is an act of God's power and mercy. God chose to save people before they were born. Faithfulness and belief are fruit of God's mercy and grace. I would say that salvation takes place in God's time not at some earthly event such as baptism.

In short, Baptism is an act. Actions can not save us. God saves us through faith, which is a gift.

Here is a link of Calvin's Institutes on Baptism:

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/institutes.iv.iv.xvi.html

 

[Jon_]

I was wondering on what Scriptural (not logical or reasoning)

Muuust... resissst.... temptaaation... to... correct... errorsssssssss...........

(Pssst, "logic" and "reason" are scriptural. Without logic, how do you expect to understand the Scriptures? )

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Erinwilcox]

Muuust... resissst.... temptaaation... to... correct... errorsssssssss...........

(Pssst, "logic" and "reason" are scriptural. Without logic, how do you expect to understand the Scriptures? )

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

Man, he really silenced you there, Jon! Well, if we all just took everything that the Bible said absolutely literally, without any logic or reason, then I doubt that we'd be Calvinists!

 

[seekingpurity047]

Oh I get it!

Well... Ever since I've been a believer in Jesus Christ (even when I wasn't a calvinist) I didn't believe in baptismal regeneration. I mean... baptism is a work, not a matter of salvation. It is by faith alone in Jesus Christ that we can be saved. Eph 2:8-9, for instance.

To the glory of God,

Randy

 

[PapaLandShark]

[bible]Luke 23:43[/bible]

 

[lmnop9876]

by baptismal regeneration i refer to the belief that the sins of those who believe are washed away in baptism (not baptismal regeneration strictly, but more Luther's view). is there a specific Biblical reason why Reformed people do not usually believe this? I'll probably find out properly at church tomorrow, but I was just dying to find out now. I know the Presbyterian view is that Baptism is "a sacrament wherein the washing with water in the Name of the Father, and of Son, and of the Holy Ghost doth signify and seal our engrafting into Christ, our partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord's" (hope I've remembered that right, i learnt it years ago! from the shorter catechism). what is meant by a seal? because I take it that remission of sins is a "benefit of the covenant of grace"? i'm just curious.

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

Folks,

I hate to come in and burst a few bubbles but there is version of baptismal regeneration that is found in Reformed circles.

Cornelius Burges, one of the more important Westminster Divines, from who's pen we received the Confession, and who played an important part in the committee that gave us the confessions section on baptism wrote a (once)famous book on this subject titled Baptismall Regeneration of Elect Infants, Professed by the Church of England, according to the Scriptures, and Primitive Church, the Present Reformed Churches and Many Particular Divines Apart. I know the title is a mouth full. I wish it were on the web, but it is not .

There were other divines at the Westminster Assembly who agreed with Burges on the issue. Remember these men were highly respected Reformed pastors and theologians who played an important part at Westminster. You have always had some Reformed Theologians that have held to a (qualified) understanding of baptismal regeneration.

I have a photo-copy version of Cornelius Burges' book. It is interesting (though very hard to read). I am not yet sure what I think of it but it is an interesting topic to look at from an older Reformed vantage point.

Joel Garver has an interesting article on this subject titled Baptismal Regeneration and the Westminster Confession 28.6. Some of you may find it interesting.

Dominus vobiscum,
Kenith

 

[cygnusx1]

http://www.biblebelievers.net/Doctrine/kjcbapt2.htm

http://www.biblebelievers.net/FalseTeaching/kjcbaptr.htm

 

[lmnop9876]

thanks for your replies; Cajun Hugenot, that was very helpful, thanks.
on infant baptism, http://www.christreformed.org/resources/sermons_lectures/00000062.shtml?main
this is an interesting site