Calvin's Institutes 4.15.1. to 4.15.6.

INSTITUTES OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION
By
John Calvin

BOOK FOURTH.
OF THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH

CHAPTER 15.
OF BAPTISM.

4.15.1. - 4.15.3.

Calvin now starts his discussion on the matter of baptism. By definition, he writes, "Baptism is the initiatory sign by which we are admitted to the fellowship of the Church, that being ingrafted into Christ we may be accounted children of God." Baptism not only serves our faith but is a means of public profession of that faith. It serves three objectives, according to Calvin, and the first is to be a sign and seal of forgiveness of sin. Water cannot forgive sin but the sacrament can show forth the knowledge that one's sins are forgiven. "Our ablution and salvation are perfected by water, or that water possesses in itself the virtue of purifying, regenerating, and renewing; nor does he mean that it is the cause of salvation, but only that the knowledge and certainty of such gifts are perceived in this sacrament." In addition, we need to understand that this sign of forgiveness is not limited to sins committed in the past. "We ought to consider that at whatever time we are baptised, we are washed and purified once for the whole of life."

4.15.4.

Baptism also serves our faith in that it reminds us of assurance. "Wherefore, there can be no doubt that all the godly may, during the whole course of their lives, whenever they are vexed by a consciousness of their sins, recall the remembrance of their baptism, that they may thereby assure themselves of that sole and perpetual ablution which we have in the blood of Christ."

4.15.5.-4.15.6.

"Another benefit of baptism is, that it shows us our mortification in Christ and new life in him. "Know ye not," says the apostle, "that as many of us as were baptised into Jesus Christ, were baptised into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death," that we "should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:3, 4) . . . The last advantage which our faith receives from baptism is its assuring us not only that we are ingrafted into the death and life of Christ, but so united to Christ himself as to be partakers of all his blessings."