Schaff - History of the Christian Church Vol. 8 - Media Sabda Org

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Baptism, Calvin says, is the sacrament of ablution and regeneration; the
Eucharist is the sacrament of redemption and sanctification. Christ “came
by water and by blood” (1 John 5:6); that is, to purify and to redeem. The
Spirit, as the third and chief witness, confirms and secures the witness of
water and blood; that is, of baptism and the eucharist (1 John 5:8). f859 This
sublime mystery was strikingly exhibited on the cross, when blood and
water issued from Christ’s side, which on this account Augustin justly
called ‘the fountain of our sacraments.’ “
I. Calvin defines baptism as, a sign of initiation, by which we are
admitted into the society of the Church, in order that, being
incorporated into Christ, we may be numbered among the children of
God.”
II. Faith derives three benefits from this sacrament.
1. It assures us, like a legal instrument properly attested, that all our sins
are cancelled, and will never be imputed unto us (Eph. 5:26; Tit. 3:5; 1 Pet.
3:21). It is far more than a mark or sign by which we profess our religion
before men, as soldiers wear the insignia of their sovereign. It is “for the
remission of sins,” past and future. No new sacrament is necessary for sins
committed after baptism. At whatever time we are baptized, we are washed
and purified for the whole life. “Whenever we have fallen, we must recur to
the remembrance of baptism, and arm our minds with the consideration of
it, that we may be always certified and assured of the remission of our
sins.”
2. Baptism shows us our mortification in Christ, and our new life in him.
All who receive baptism with faith experience the efficacy of Christ’s death
and the power of his resurrection, and should therefore walk in newness of
life (Rom. 6:3, 4, 11).
3. Baptism affords us “the certain testimony that we are not only engrafted
into the life and death of Christ, but are so united to him as to be partakers
of all his benefits” (Gal. 3:26, 27).
But while baptism removes the guilt and punishment of hereditary and
actual sin, it does not destroy our natural depravity, which is perpetually
producing works of the flesh, and will not be wholly abolished till the close
of this mortal life. In the mean time we must hold fast to the promise of