Baptism and Grace We call it the Gift, because it is given to us in return for nothing on our part; Grace, because it is conferred even on debtors; Baptism, because sin is buried with it in the water; . . . Such is the grace and power of baptism; not an overwhelming of the world as of old, but a purification of the sins of each individual, and a complete cleansing from all the bruises and stains of sin.... Read more
Some Catholics and other Christians are now lamenting the denunciation and outrage over what happened in the opening ceremony of the Olympics, with the mockery of the Last Supper and the hyper-sexualized mythological paganism. They have vociferously complained that too many (?) have expressed themselves in a manner that exhibits what they believe to be hatred, and works against a proper witness and evangelism. This is my reply regarding that particular issue. *** First of all, as a preliminary note... Read more
Baptism and Being “Born Again” It is not I that say this, but the Lord Jesus Christ, who has the power in this matter: for He saith, Except a man be born anew (and He adds the words) of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. . . . Peter commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ; in order that, the soul having been born again by faith, the body... Read more
Athanasius (c. 297-373) What had they received but the Holy Spirit who is given to those who believe and are being born again ‘through the laver of regeneration’ [Titus 3:5: “the washing of regeneration” (RSV)]? (First Letter to Serapion, 4; see p. 70) . . . the divine grace which had been given to him in baptism . . . (Apologia ad Constantium, 7) For as we are all from earth and die in Adam, so being regenerated from above of water... Read more
St. Hilary of Poitiers (c. 315 to 368) . . . we being buried with His Death in Baptism may return to the life of eternity (since regeneration to life is death to the former life), and dying to our sins be born again to immortality, . . . (On the Trinity, Bk. I, 13) There is one Lord and one baptism of regeneration . . . they have put on one Christ through the nature of one baptism . . . born again in one baptism .... Read more
Origen (c. 185-c. 254) In the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit was given by the imposition of the apostles’ hands in baptism. From all which we learn that the person of the Holy Spirit was of such authority and dignity, that saving baptism was not complete except by the authority of the most excellent Trinity of them all, i.e., by the naming of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and by joining to the unbegotten God the Father, and to His only-begotten Son, the name also of the Holy Spirit. (Origen, De Principiis,... Read more
Tertullian lived from c. 160 to c. 225. Happy is our sacrament of water, in that, by washing away the sins of our early blindness, we are set free and admitted into eternal life! (On Baptism, ch. 1) Water was the first to produce that which had life, that it might be no wonder in baptism if waters know how to give life. (On Baptism, ch. 3) To our flesh — as it emerges from the font, after its old sins flies the dove of the Holy Spirit, bringing us the peace of God,... Read more
Rev. Dr. Jordan B. Cooper is a Lutheran pastor, adjunct professor of Systematic Theology, Executive Director of the popular Just & Sinner YouTube channel, and the President of the American Lutheran Theological Seminary (which holds to a doctrinally traditional Lutheranism, similar to the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod). He has authored several books, as well as theological articles in a variety of publications. All my Bible citations are from RSV, unless otherwise indicated. Jordan’s words will be in blue. This is my 17th reply to Jordan (many more... Read more
Reformed Baptist Gavin Ortlund stated in his video, “Clerical Celibacy: A Protestant Critique” (7-14-24) at 2:16: . . . related to that the concern is a conception of celibacy as intrinsically more excellent than marriage in its nature as opposed to just a more fitting and expedient arrangement according to God’s calling. First of all, I fully agree that God’s calling is paramount. We all must follow the vocation that God has for us. Vocation isn’t relevant only to priests... Read more
St. Irenaeus (130-202) There are as many schemes of redemption as there are teachers of these mystical opinions. And when we come to refute them, we shall show in its fitting-place, that this class of men have been instigated by Satan to a denial of that baptism which is regeneration to God, and thus to a renunciation of the whole [Christian] faith. (Against Heresies, Bk. I, ch. 21, 1; c. 180) The baptism instituted by the visible Jesus was for the remission of sins, . . . (Against Heresies,... Read more
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