Over at Green Bagginses, Reed raises the question of the status of NECMs (non-elect covenant members) and how the FV views them. There’s much good there, particularly in the quotations from Turretin on temporary faith and the like. That distinction, between true . . . Continue reading →
Baptism
Abraham, Moses, and Baptism
I’m in the midst of an interesting discussion of baptism with a friend, who has Baptist convictions but who understands Reformed theology better than many Reformed folks. He is quite sympathetic to historic and confessional Reformed theology. For example, he affirms that . . . Continue reading →
Audio: Baptism as New Creation
One of the things I missed when I was laid up recently was an excellent convocation lecture by Dr John Fesko during his visit to WSC.
Schreiner-VanDrunen Baptism Debate Audio
Here. Thanks to Vaclav Petrik for letting us know about the online audio.
For What It's Worth: This Paedo is Not Offended
My friend Mark Dever says that baptizing infants is sin. Mike Bird and others are offended and Mark has replied. I’ve received a few emails about this. Frankly, I don’t understand why folk are in high dudgeon.
Do Presbyterians Confess That Refusing to Baptize Infants is Sin?
That’s the question I received in my inbox yesterday. The writer asks, …Whereas I know that a consistent Baptist (e.g. Mark Dever) would consider a Christian refusing to be baptized subsequent to conversion as sinning and subject to church discipline, is that . . . Continue reading →
Does Baptism "Save"?
Merrit asks this question: “Two friends and I have been talking about this verse (1 Peter 3:21) and passage for quite some time today. The more we seem to talk about it the more confused I seem to get about it.
More Summer Reading: Infant Baptism and the Silence of the NT
One of the more persistent arguments made by Baptist critics of infant baptism is: “It’s not in the NT.” Bryan Holstrom has written a brief (156 pp) book to address this and related questions about infant baptism. Infant Baptism and the Silence . . . Continue reading →
What About the Promise?
Jason writes to ask (re-phrased for clarity): In your paper on baptism you wrote: “It is sometimes said, ‘I was baptized as an infant but did not come to faith until much later, so I was re-baptized.’ Might it not be the . . . Continue reading →
Online Resources on Infant-Baptism
In answer to a query on another post I put together a list of posts and other resources. For those working through the questions here are some HB posts and other resources that might help: Clark on Infant Baptism (That same web . . . Continue reading →
Baptism Debate Audio
Several folks have written to ask about a debate on baptism. It’s been done. Here are links to two debates between Reformed theologians and Baptist theologians
Office Hours: Fesko on Word, Water, and Spirit (Baptism)
The latest episode of Office Hours is out via iTunes and RSS. John Fesko talks about his new book, Word, Water, and Spirit. This volume is available now through The Bookstore at WSC. This episode is available now on iTunes. We’re taking . . . Continue reading →
Baptism and Circumcision According to Colossians 2:11–12
What follows is taken from a larger essay, “A Contemporary Reformed Defense of Infant Baptism:” What is the Connection Between Circumcision and Baptism? The connection between baptism and circumcision is quite clear in Colossians 2:11–12. The connection is not direct, but indirect . . . Continue reading →
William Perkins On Baptismal Regeneration
Paul, Rom. 4. stands much upon this to prove that justification by faith is not conferred by the sacraments. And from the circumstance of time he gathers that Abraham was first justified and afterward received circumcision, the sign and the seal of . . . Continue reading →
Of Catholicity and Confusion
One of the most confusing aspects of Protestant-Romanist dialogue is trying to determine “who speaks for Rome?” and trying to answer the question, “What does Rome believe?” One reason it can be difficult to answer these questions is that Rome likes it . . . Continue reading →
What To Do With the Joy That Wells Up Within?
Responding to the Gospel with God's Word
Aimee Byrd at Housewife Theologian asks a great question about what to do with ourselves after a baptism. How do you celebrate this moment? Let me ask you readers, do you clap in your church after a baptism? Our church congregation doesn’t. . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 12: Worship, Baptism, And Romanism
On Worship, Baptism, and Romanism
David writes with a question on worship, which we may paraphrase thus: If we can do something in worship on a Wednesday night Bible study or in personal devotions why can’t we do it in a Sunday morning service? Ken asks whether . . . Continue reading →
Guy De Bres On Reformed Agreement With The Lutherans
This document is entitled, “Concord between the Doctors of Wittenberg and the Doctors of the Imperial Cities in Greater Germany.” My above-mentioned lord has commanded me to write to you, so that you would think carefully about this — because we want . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 19: The Church of Steel vs A Cross of Wood
The Church of Steel vs A Cross of Wood In downtown San Diego there is a storefront on Broadway which advertises itself as the “Church of Steel.” I found an interview with the proprietor (minister?) of this “church” and it is enlightening. . . . Continue reading →
Heidelcast 28 With Lane Keister: Does The Federal Vision Theology Lead To Rome?
Thanks to the Wonderful Wizard of Web, who has been cleaning up the HB, we have found an orphaned episode of the Heidelcast from March, 2010. This was part 4 of a series with PCA pastor the Rev. Mr. Lane Keister, who . . . Continue reading →