4 comments

1. Dr Clark,
   How can one interpret a passage such as, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” — Acts 22:16

   As I understand the Reformed position, Paul truly does wash away his sins in baptism, calling on Christs name. This is the appeal to God for a good conscience that the Holy Spirit makes effectual to the elect for the forgiveness of sins, regeneration, nourishment, and all other benefits that are signified and sealed. The reprobate receive the sign but not the seal of the Holy Spirit, nor any of the benefits.

   I came to understand how Rome gets this wrong and makes regeneration the sacrament itself and not a benefit which the spirit applies to the elect after reading Micheal Hortons book, Pilgrim Theology in which he states:

   “When the apostles say that baptism saves, we should not rush to qualify their language but allow Scripture to speak in its full covenantal sense. Baptism truly does save—not by any power inherent in the water, nor by the act itself, but because it is the divinely appointed means by which the Holy Spirit unites us to Christ and all his benefits.”

   In summary, can we truly say to someone who has heard the gospel, while being true to Reformed theology and practice, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”

   Sincerely,
   Mr Wood

   Reply ↓

   • Joshua,

     We interpret such language by recognizing, as we discussed in the episode the nature of sacramental language. I agree with my friend and colleague. We should allow scripture to speak in its full covenantal sense and we are doing that when we recognize the nature of sacramental language or the sacramental (figurative) union between the sacrament and the thing signified (salvation). Baptism isn’t salvation. It is the gospel made visible, that all who believe are washed. That’s a glorious promise. Baptism not only signifies that promise but it seals it. That’s why the catechism says “as surely as the minister” and “just as water washes….”

     Reply ↓

     • Dr Clark,

       Thank you for your clarifying message. I was reading John Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion and found an almost identical response.
       God bless you,
       Josh

       Reply ↓

2. thank you guys for the clear explanation on baptism, Noah etc. i grew up in oklahoma… english is a second language… ha… ha… the baptist, church of christ brothers and sisters do not know, understand the term figuratively…
   thx again…

   Reply ↓

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