The Conservative Reformation and Its Theology - Saint Mary ...

and therefore holds as heartily and fully as the Platform, 353 "that Baptism
in adults does not necessarily effect or secure their regeneration."
5. Baptism not essential.
In the next place, our Church regards Baptism not as "essential" in
its proper sense, but as "necessary." That which is properly "essential,"
allows of no degree of limitation; but that which is "necessary," may be so
in various degrees with manifold limitations. It is “essential" to our
redemption that Christ should die for us; therefore, without limits of any
kind, we affirm that no human being could be saved without His atoning
work. It is "necessary" that we should hear the gospel, for it is the power
of God unto salvation; but the necessity of hearing is limited in various
ways. It does not comprehend both infants and adults, as that which is
essential does.
6. But necessary.
The Augsburg Confession (Art. IX.) says, not that Baptism is
essential, but simply that it is necessary--to which the Latin, not to show
the degree of necessity, but merely its object, adds "to salvation."
In later editions of the Confession, Melanchthon, to remove the
possibility of misconstruction, added a few words to the first part of the
Ninth Article, so that it reads: "Of Baptism, they teach that it is necessary
to salvation, as a ceremony instituted of Christ." So far, at least, we think
all could go in affirming its necessity. And with such mild expressions,
even those who were most remote from the Melanchthonian spirit were
satisfied.
"Among all orthodox Lutherans, Hutter is among the most orthodox;
no one has remained more thoroughly within the bounds of the theology
authorized and made normative by the Church than he--no one has
adhered with more fidelity, not merely to the spirit, but to the very letter of
the Symbols, especially of the Form of Concord." 354 Yet Hutter exhausts,
in the following answer, the question: "Is Baptism necessary to salvation?"
"It is; and that because of God's command. For whatever God has
instituted and commanded, is to be done, is precious, useful, and necessary,
though as to its outward
353 P. 29.
354 Herzog's Encyclop. fuer. Theol. VI. 346.