Tag: Sacramental Efficacy

You Must Be Born Of Water And Spirit

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). What does it mean to be “born of water and of the Spirit”? Some see this text as support for the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Accordingly, they claim that the sacrament of baptism is necessary to enter the kingdom of God. However, such a reading is tenuous and unbiblical. We will first demonstrate that “water” here refers to the inward cleansing of the Holy Spirit. And secondly, we will give five reasons why “water and the Spirit” does not refer to the sacrament of baptism.… Read More You Must Be Born Of Water And Spirit

Paul J. BarthLeave a comment

The Efficacy of the Sacraments | William Perkins

William PerkinsReformed Catholic, Works VII, pp. 134-138Of the Efficacy of the Sacraments I. Our Consent Conclusion 1. We teach and believe that the sacraments are signs to represent Christ with His benefits unto us. Conclusion 2. We teach further, that the sacraments are indeed instruments whereby God offers and gives the foresaid benefits unto us.… Read More The Efficacy of the Sacraments | William Perkins

Paul J. Barth1 Comment

The Consensus of Zürich on the Sacraments

Consensus Tigurinus, or the Consensus of Zürich, was written by John Calvin and Heinrich Bullinger as a response to the renewed opposition that Martin Luther had made to the Reformed understanding of the Sacraments. These 26 articles on Reformed Sacramentology were presented by both of them to Zürich and Geneva as a Reformed consensus, and they were adopted by both churches.… Read More The Consensus of Zürich on the Sacraments

Paul J. Barth1 Comment

Baptism Now Saves You | William Ames

The outward baptism doth not save us of itself, but the inward, because outward baptism is common to the hypocrites as well as to the faithful, it comes not unto the soul, and it hath no saving power in itself. This may serve to admonish us, not to put too much trust and confidence in the outward Sacraments, or to rely thereupon, that we are baptized and partake of the Lord’s Supper, but  always to seek the spiritual grace of the Sacraments.… Read More Baptism Now Saves You | William Ames

Paul J. Barth1 Comment

Defective Views of the Sacraments: Inherent & Independent Virtue

There is one party holding opinions on the subject admitting of various modifications, but agreeing in this, that they ascribe a high spiritual efficacy to the Sacraments apart from the faith or spiritual act of the receiver. By this party, the views of the Sacraments already stated are regarded as defective in the way of ascribing to Sacraments a less virtue than really belongs to them.… Read More Defective Views of the Sacraments: Inherent & Independent Virtue

Paul J. Barth3 Comments