I know Reformed people of all different denominations would like to claim Calvin and I know as a Baptist I don't really have a claim on the king of the Presbyterian system however.... I was surprised to find him arguing:-
Matt 3.6; Mark 1.5. The were baptized of him... confessing their sins. The evidence of their repentance was this confession, for as the Lord binds Himself to us in the sacraments as in His own writing, so in faithfulness should we in turn respond to Him. in Baptism, it is testified that our sins are remitted us, and He calls us to repentance. So that men may offer themselves properly for baptism, a confession of sins is required of them, otherwise the whole action would be nothing but an empty mockery. We must note that here adults are being spoken of, who we know are not to be admitted into the Church indiscriminately, not to be initiated by baptism into the body of Christ unless they are first examined.' 'A Harmony of the Gospels' (Eerdmans/Paternoster) P.118
He goes on to say of Christ and John's baptism 'We infer that he had no intention at all to distinguish his baptism from that which Christ ordered His disciples, the continuing practice which he wished to keep alive in the Church. Nor did he contrast the visible sign with another sign.' P.126
I love it!!! No mention of infants, covenants or circumcision. Maybe I can claim Calvin after all ;-) looking forward to seeing what he says in Acts.
God Bless
Stephen
3 comments:
Hi Stephen,
Missing your Baptist presence in college and so I have to say, as a Scottish Presbyterian and Calvinist i agree with your Calvin quotes - no contradiction. Your blog is like me quoting Spurgeon as one who baptises infants because he believes in covenant theology! You know he said, "The doctrine of the covenants is the key of theology."
In fact your blog just tells us that you, like Spurgeon and people like Piper, are really wet presbyterians! ;-)
Any way hope you had a good New Year. How's things going? Joy? Baby?
Ross
hi Ross,
Of course I know Calvin wasn't a baptist but as Paul says 'now we know in part then shall we know in full' so of course he is a baptist now. Not so sure that Calvin brought into the Covenantal Theology regarding infant baptism you guys alll get from Zwingli because as you might recall Calvin wouldn't read Zwingli. I love you Presybterians especially you dry Baptists!
ps Ross, I thought you had a blog, may I encourage you to take the plunge you'll enjoy it. After that you should start a blog! ;-)
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