Heidelcast 116: I Will Be A God To You And To Your Children (12)

by Heidelcast on September 17, 2016 |

We are just about ready to immerse ourselves, as it were, in the question of baptism but we have at least one more thing to discuss before we get to baptism and that is this: what is baptism? In the Reformed tradition, . . . Continue reading →

Between The Anabaptists And The Romanists: Calvin Defended Infant Baptism Sola Scriptura

by R. Scott Clark on March 20, 2017 |

I do not, however, concede to [Rome] that Paedobaptism had its origin the Tradition of the Church. It certainly appears to be founded on the institution of God, and to have derived its origin from circumcision. It would have little foundation if . . . Continue reading →

Reformed Piety And Practice

by R. Scott Clark on March 28, 2017 |

When Martin Luther (1483–1546) entered the Augustinian convent at Erfurt in 1505, it was a considered decision and the fulfillment of a vow he had made when he cried, “St. Anne, help me! I will become a monk.” So he did. Luther . . . Continue reading →

Synod of Herbon (1586): Weekly Communion Most Corresponds To Christ’s Ordinance

by R. Scott Clark on June 15, 2017 |

45. The Lord’s Supper shall be celebrated at least every month, and everyone at their location should strive that if the whole congregation cannot participate every Sunday (which most corresponds to Christ’s ordinance and to apostolic custom and is greatly desired), at . . . Continue reading →

Between Magic And Mere Memory

by R. Scott Clark on September 11, 2017 |

When Christians receive the Lord’s Supper or when people are baptized, what happens? Is it the case that, as Rome claims, at consecration, the elements of bread and wine are transformed (transubstantiated) so that they are no longer, in substance, bread and . . . Continue reading →

Why Foot Washing Is Not A Sacrament

by R. Scott Clark on September 1, 2018 |

Heidelblog reader Randy writes to ask why footwashing (pedilavium) is not regarded as a sacrament. The answer is twofold: 1) from the nature of the sacraments; 2) from the nature and intent of the act of footwashing in the life of our . . . Continue reading →

Should You Give Yourself Communion At Home?

by R. Scott Clark on March 21, 2020 |

Joe writes to ask Hi Dr. Clark, My church is currently streaming service online and advocating for family worship at home. They are also encouraging us to get bread and juice/wine and take communion during service hours with our families. Is this . . . Continue reading →

With Presbycast On Virtual Communion—UPDATED

by R. Scott Clark on March 29, 2020 |

Regular readers of this space will know that I am a regular (or perhaps, more properly, an irregular) guest of the Presbycast podcast hosted by Brad Isbell (Chortles Weakly) and Wresbyterian. This is a valuable (if sometimes quirky) resource for the confessional . . . Continue reading →

IndyReformed On Baptism

by R. Scott Clark on August 4, 2020 |

Resources Subscribe to the Heidelblog Find Out More About Indy Reformed Contact Indy Reformed Resources On Covenant Theology and Baptism

Berkouwer’s Critique of Barth’s Rejection Of Infant Baptism

by R. Scott Clark on December 2, 2020 |

Ever since Karl Barth began around 1940 to oppose the justifiability of infant baptism, the controversy has continued unabated. Even though it cannot be said that Barth’s criticism exerted great influence, his considerations nevertheless gave rise to new reflection and a tremendous . . . Continue reading →

Ursinus: The Holy Spirit Uses The Word To Create Faith And The Sacraments To Confirm Faith

by R. Scott Clark on January 9, 2021 |

The Word is that through which the Holy Spirit commences and confirms faith in us, and for this reason, should go before the sacraments. The sacraments are means through which the Holy Spirit confirms faith already called into exercise, and for this . . . Continue reading →

Heidelcast 174: As It Was In The Days Of Noah (18): Applying The Analogy To Preaching, Sacraments, Baptism, And Salvation

by Heidelcast on March 8, 2021 |

The argument of the series is that this is Peter’s over-arching picture or paradigm for the way New Covenant believers are to think about their place in the world and about the return of Christ. There will be no literal 1,000 year . . . Continue reading →

If We Baptize Infants Why Do We Not Also Commune Them?

by R. Scott Clark on July 9, 2021 |

This question/objection occurs frequently in the context of the debate over infant baptism and it reveals a widely-held Baptist misunderstanding about the sacraments.

Video: What Is Baptism?

by R. Scott Clark on August 22, 2021 |

The Rev Mr Scott McDermand is a graduate of Westminster Seminary California (MA, MDiv). He is pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Bad Axe, Michigan. A native of San Diego and a former baseball player, Scott served as full-time pulpit supply at Alpine . . . Continue reading →

Riddlebarger On The Reformed Altar Call

by R. Scott Clark on October 21, 2021 |

In those independent Bible churches in which I was raised, most Sunday mornings the minister preached from a well-worn Bible, told a few stories to illustrate his point, and then reminded us that we must believe in Jesus to go to heaven. . . . Continue reading →

From MLM To The Freedom Of The Christian

by R. Scott Clark on March 31, 2022 |

The most intense religious meetingI ever attended, including prayer meetings with Pentecostals, was not supposed to be a religious event at all. The Meeting I went with the fellow whom the Lord had used to lead me to Christ. He was . . . Continue reading →

Cyril: We Gather On The Eighth Day With Christ And Receive His Body Sacramentally

by Heidelblog on April 13, 2022 |

With good reason, then, are we accustomed to have sacred meetings in churches on the eighth day. And, to adopt the language of allegory, as the idea necessarily demands, we indeed close the doors, but yet Christ visits us and appears unto . . . Continue reading →

Waters Contra Intinction: We Must Observe The Sacraments In The Way Christ Instituted Them

by Heidelblog on April 22, 2022 |

We must observe the sacraments in a way that submits to the teaching of Scripture. In the public worship of God, we may only do what God has authorized us to do. What he hasn’t expressly authorized in Scripture is thereby forbidden. . . . Continue reading →

Should Lay People Administer The Sacraments?

by R. Scott Clark on August 12, 2022 |

A correspondent wrote to ask whether Christian laity should administer the sacraments? This is an ancient question, though typically we face it in a different form. In the Reformation, Calvin dealt with this question because midwives would administer baptism to infants in . . . Continue reading →

Irenaeus Did Not Teach A Romanist Doctrine Of Eucharistic Sacrifice

by R. Scott Clark on November 28, 2022 |

When the minister consecrates (i.e., sets apart for sacred use) the elements of the Lord’s Supper (i.e., bread and wine), what happens? Does the substance of the elements change? Does the bread become something other than it was? Does it become the . . . Continue reading →