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

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<strong>The</strong> Definite Platform says of "Baptismal Regeneration:" "By this<br />

designation is meant the doctrine that Baptism is necessarily <strong>and</strong><br />

invariably attended by spiritual regeneration, <strong>and</strong> that such water Baptism<br />

is unconditionally essential to salvation." "Regeneration, in its proper<br />

sense of the term, consists in a radical change in our religious views--in our<br />

religious feelings, purposes, habits of action." <strong>The</strong> Miami Synod, in 1858,<br />

set forth what they suppose to be meant by the charge, when "they utterly<br />

repudiate <strong>and</strong> abhor" (as well they may) the following error: "Baptismal<br />

regeneration--that is, that Baptism is necessarily connected with, or<br />

attended by, an internal spiritual change ex opere operato, or from the<br />

mere outward performance of the act." 359 <strong>The</strong>ir definition <strong>and</strong> that of the<br />

Platform are substantially the same, though we do not underst<strong>and</strong> them to<br />

charge such a doctrine upon their Church or its Confession.<br />

<strong>The</strong> counter-theory of Baptism.<br />

<strong>The</strong> charge against our Church of teaching "Baptismal<br />

Regeneration," as those who make the charge define it, is, as we have seen,<br />

utterly ungrounded. It is not true in its general statement nor in its details; it<br />

is utterly without warrant in the whole, or in a single particular. We have<br />

presented a few facts in elucidation <strong>and</strong> defence of the Scripture doctrine of<br />

Baptism, as confessed by our Church, <strong>and</strong> as misrepresented <strong>and</strong> assailed<br />

in the Definite Platform. It is always an interesting question, often a very<br />

important one, If we give up that which is assailed, what shall we have in<br />

the place of it? This question is of great importance in the present case.<br />

What equivalent do those propose to the Church, who ask her to give up<br />

her most cherished doctrines?<br />

1. Baptism of adults. <strong>The</strong> Confession <strong>and</strong> the Platform compared.<br />

What is the doctrine which the Definite Platform proposes as the true<br />

one, in. place of that theory of "Baptismal Regeneration" which it<br />

denounces? It is this, "Baptism in adults is a pledge <strong>and</strong> CONDITION of<br />

obtaining those blessings purchased by Christ, <strong>and</strong> offered to all who<br />

repent, believe in Him, <strong>and</strong> profess His name by Baptism."<br />

Now, is not that which is a CONDITION of obtaining a thing<br />

359 Luth. Observ. xxvi. 29.

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