“Baptismal Regeneration”
The term “baptismal
regeneration” is thrown around a lot in discussions and debates about baptism.
It is very important to define the term first before engaging in any debate
on the topic because it is often misunderstood and therefore misapplied, or
misrepresented.
It must be noted the ways
“baptismal regeneration” is spoken about. To the critics of New Testament
baptism, the term is used most of the time to misrepresent the position of the
church of Christ. Hopefully this will help to set the record straight and
clarify much misrepresentation. There are two ways “baptismal regeneration” is
taught:
1.) There are some groups who teach “baptismal
regeneration” in the sense that baptism has some wondrous power in the water
itself. Subjects of this baptism are
usually infants and these groups also teach the false doctrine of “original
sin”. Subjects of this baptism are usually void of the Scriptural
pre-requisites of FAITH and REPENTANCE. These groups teach baptism alone, excluding
the essential “elements” of faith and repentance as prerequisites, is valid for
salvation. The Catholic Church is the most well known and recognized of all the
groups who teach this view. But it should be obvious that unless the individual
being “baptized” has any kind of understanding or awareness, that this kind of
“baptism” can be nothing more than a man-made tradition. It is merely “getting
wet.”
2.) Then there is the New Testament teaching on baptism.
The New Testament teaching on baptism
requires the “elements” of FAITH and REPENTANCE to be present in the
heart and mind of the candidate seeking baptism at time of immersion. It is when
faith and repentance are combined in
baptism that conversion occurs. It is not faith alone. It is not
repentance alone. It is not baptism alone. Biblical conversion consists of faith,
repentance and baptism, together. It could be said that faith
and repentance are the “active ingredients” in baptism.
When considering all the conversions in the
book of Acts, it can be clearly demonstrated that all three of these
elements are present (faith, repentance, and baptism). Through baptism God
cleanses our sins in the blood of Christ at this point of our obedience
and faith. So “regeneration” does indeed occur at baptism. It occurs as a
result of man obeying God and claiming His promise to forgive our sins (Acts
2:38-39). But the “regeneration” is accomplished by God’s power, not
by man’s.
Not by works
of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewal of the Holy
Spirit
The word "washing" is from the Greek word loutron, which
refers to (according to Thayer's Lexicon) the act of bathing and is used here
in the New Testament and in other writings to refer to baptism. The word "regeneration"
is from the Greek word palingenesia, which is taken from two root words
"born" and "again."
The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word “regenerate” as
to be spiritually reborn or converted. (See John 3:3-5)
If Christ’s blood was shed for us nearly 2,000 years ago, and it is at the point of baptism we can come into contact with the blood of Jesus, it can truly be said we are saved through faith and grace.
This page added: July 14,
2003