As I have begun to dive deeper into Reformed Theology post Luther, I was surprised to learn that those that subscribe to the Westminster Confession and the Heidelberg Catechism perform infant baptism. I wrongly assumed that because the normal players in the infant baptism denominations (Catholic, Lutheran, etc.) believe in baptismal regeneration, this would be a hard stop for the Calvinist doctrines, especially of the Perseverance of the Saints. Although I cannot know the heart of anyone, it would be reasonable to deduce that every baby that has been baptized has never rejected the Faith later in life and has not persevered to the end. To be consistent, a baptismal regeneration point of view within the Calvinist system would have to conclude that every baby baptized would have to be of the elect and thus persevere. It would seem a very “all or nothing” take on these babies’ baptisms. What I am learning is that there is a different understanding of the sacrament that is tied much to Covenant Theology, OT circumcision and being faithful to the believers coming to baptism as well as their household as seen in Acts 2:38-39.
Before I get deeper into my studies on Reformed theology and infant baptism, I would like to capture in this first post the Catholic view on this sacrament. I will conclude the series with the Reformed view.
R.C. Sproul explains in his booklet, “What is Baptism” that the Roman Catholic Church sees baptism as the instrumental cause of justification. “At baptism, the person receives an infusion, an inpouring of grace into the soul. It is necessary to cooperate with this infused grace and stay in a state of grace.” Although not the subject for this post, briefly, the Catholic teaching of this state of grace boils down to their separation of mortal and venial sins. If one commits a mortal sin, they are no longer in a state of grace and must confess their sins to the priest to receive another sacrament called Reconciliation to be forgiven of this sin and be returned to a state of grace. To not be in a state of grace at death would confine you to Hell for all eternity. Catholicism refers to baptism as the Rite of Initiation. Here are a few excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
“Baptism signifies liberation from sin and from its instigator the devil.” – CCC 1237
“The sheer gratuitousness of the grace of salvation is particularly manifest in infant baptism.” – CCC 1250
“Baptism is the first and chief sacrament of forgiveness of sins because it unites us to Christ.” CCC Glossary.
“It is by faith in the gospel and by Baptism that one renounces evil and gains salvation, that is, the forgiveness of all sins and the gift of new life.” – CCC1427
Again Dr. Sproul explains that part of the argument the Catholic Church makes for the efficacy of the sacraments, is that they function ex opere operato, that is from the working of the work.”
It is also equally important for this discussion that if one were to read the CCC in more context, you will read much of the importance of catechizing these baptized children so that they mature in the faith and hold on to that faith given to them in their baptism. This along with the system of the reconciliation, it would reasonable to surmise that, baptism saves and puts one in a state of grace, sin causes a loss of this state of grace, and then because baptism works the first time and is not repeated, the sacrament of reconciliation is added to forgive sins and restore one to a state of grace.
All of this to say that this system can not fit into a Reformed Calvinist system. Not only would Limited Atonement not fit as every baby would have been saved, it also denies the perseverance of the saints as there is a whole structure around losing one’s salvation…over and over during their life. You could argue that Unconditional Election is denied as ALL that are baptized are saved. I would love to hear your opinion in the comments on if Irresistible Grace would also be denied. From the focus on salvation, and baptism working ex opere operato, there wasn’t a chance to resist. And yet later in life, the child can choose to resist the grace given and reject the faith entirely. In my next post we will look at Luther’s view on Baptism. Stay tuned.
RVK
RVK 1517 