Refutation refuted Joe Mizzi's Baptismal Regeneration

Refutation of Baptismal Regeneration

Question: Jesus Christ, St. Peter, St. Luke, and St. Paul all agree that we are saved and born again in the waters of baptism with the Holy Spirit! (John 3:5; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3, 4; Colossians 2:12).

Answer: I hope that by studying these scriptures, you will become convinced that none of them actually proves “baptismal regeneration.” But first, let us define the official Catholic position and what is required to prove this doctrine.

I believe we will prove otherwise.

What is baptismal regeneration?

The Catholic Church teaches that:

Baptism is necessary for salvation (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1277).

Baptism causes regeneration. (In theological jargon, baptism is said to be the instrumental cause of regeneration). Baptism is not only a sign; it actually brings about the new birth. “Through baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1213).

As the other sacraments, baptism acts “ex opere operato” - literally, by the very fact of the action being performed. The right application of the outward sign is always followed by the gift of internal grace if the sacrament is received with the right dispositions.

In the case of infants, baptism removes original sin and regenerates even though the infant does not personally believe in Christ. “It may not be doubted that in Baptism infants receive the mysterious gift of faith. Not that they believe with the assent of the mind, but they are established in the faith of their parents” (Catechism of Trent).

In the case of adults, faith is necessary, but it is not sufficient for forgiveness or eternal life. Faith is considered as one of the factors constituting the “right disposition” for baptism. “Besides a wish to be baptized, in order to obtain the grace of the Sacrament, faith is also necessary” (Catechism of Trent). Yet the believer does not receive grace (forgiveness or regeneration) until and unless he is baptized with water.

What is required to prove baptismal regeneration?

What? Already another question? But you haven't answered the first. Yes, baptism is the INSTRUMENTAL cause of regeneration. But the question you asked is, "What is baptismal regeneration?"

The answer to that question is quite simple. It is the action of the Holy Spirit upon the soul. Baptism is not a work of man but a work of God upon the soul. Let me quote Trent VI, Ch. VII:

The causes of this justification are:
the final cause is the glory of God and of Christ and life everlasting; the efficient cause is the merciful God who washes and sanctifies[31] gratuitously, signing and anointing with the holy Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance,[32] the meritorious cause is His most beloved only begotten, our Lord Jesus Christ, who, when we were enemies,[33] for the exceeding charity wherewith he loved us,[34] merited for us justification by His most holy passion on the wood of the cross and made satisfaction for us to God the Father, the instrumental cause is the sacrament of baptism, which is the sacrament of faith,

So, you see, regeneration is the washing of the soul by God.

To prove that “baptismal regeneration” is a true biblical doctrine, it is not enough to quote some scriptures that somehow link baptism to forgiveness or the new birth. Baptism must be shown to be the instrumental cause of regeneration.

It isn't? Why? Don't you believe the Bible? First time I ever heard a Bible only person claim that the Bible wasn't enough. Oh well.

Faith, repentance, baptism, confessing Christ, holiness and good works are all aspects of the human response to God's grace;

AMEN!!! You just proved that faith alone is dead. You are correct.

all are somehow related to salvation. That does not mean that faith, repentance, confession, works, baptism, etc, are all related to salvation in the same manner. The distinction between the different roles of faith and good works is clearly seen in Ephesians 2:8-10 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

If you only understood what you have read. Certainly, we are created for good works. When were you created. I was created in my mother's womb when I was conceived. This is when God expects us to walk in His works. When we come into being.

And what does Scripture say again on the same subject:

Romans 2:13

King James Version (KJV)

 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

In other words, if you want to be saved, you must be amongst those who keep the Commandments of God. Because if you don't, you won't be saved by God.

Salvation is "through faith" and "not of works." The apostle Paul is adamant that good works are not the means of salvation.

That is Catholic Teaching. God is the cause of salvation. But God only saves those who do His works:

Hebrews 5:9

King James Version (KJV)

 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Yet, in the same breath, the apostle is equally insistent that works are the fruit of salvation - "for good works". So then, whoever "believes" and tries to do good works to merit salvation does not understand the Gospel. Nor does the man who "believes" and continues to live in sin, devoid of good works. Only he who believes in Christ, and forfeits any reliance on the merits of personal works, and whose life is overflowing with good works, can be confident that he is truly saved by grace.

Only he who is told by God that he is saved can be truly confident of his salvation. St. Paul, who tirelessly proclaimed the Gospel, even he said:

1 Corinthians 9:27

King James Version (KJV)

 27But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

So, while it is true that both faith and works are related to salvation, yet it is fatal to attribute to works the role which the Word of God attributes to faith. Faith is the instrumental cause; works are the necessary fruit.

Neither faith nor works are the cause of salvation. God is the cause of salvation. Faith is our response to God's grace and itself a grace.

Faith, however, is the cause of works without which, faith is not proven. Anyone can claim to have faith, but if works do not accompany that faith, they are fooling themselves.

We should also ask about the specific relationships of faith and baptism to salvation.

Faith is necessary for Baptism to be effective in your soul. One who does not have faith in God's saving action in their soul when Baptized, condemns himself. Mark 16:16.

Is faith insufficient to save?

God is the judge. Not you or I:

1 Corinthians 4:2-5

King James Version (KJV)

 2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Is baptism the actual cause of salvation?

God is the cause of salvation.

Or is faith sufficient and baptism the sign of salvation?

Whether a person's faith is sufficient, God knows. But Baptism is the effectual sign of the action which God performs on a believer's soul.

Think of Paul's argument in Romans 3 and 4. He uses Abraham as an example of justification by faith. At least for Abraham, faith was sufficient to justify him (Abraham was never baptised, and he was justified by faith before he received the sign of circumcision).

Jesus Christ had not yet come and established the Sacraments, of which one of them is Baptism. However, Abraham was certainly justified by a WORKING faith:

James 2:21-23

King James Version (KJV)

 21Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Moreover, since Paul uses Abraham as a model for all of us (in New Testament times), it is impossible to deny the saving efficacy of faith even before it is accompanied by good works and rituals.

Quite the opposite. It is easy to prove that Abraham's faith was accompanied by works from when God first called him:

Hebrews 11:8

King James Version (KJV)

 8By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

But, of course, Scripture isn't enough for you to believe.

Not, of course, that we disregard the commandments and ordinances of our Lord; for every believer seeks to fulfill them (as Paul argues later on in his letter); nor that circumcision was meaningless, or that baptism is optional (for he later reminds the believers about their baptism and the implications to the Christian life).

Lol! You see how you recognize all that is necessary in addition to faith! Now tell me, if a person refuses to be Baptized in obedience to Christ's words, will that man inherit eternal life? YES OR NO

Therefore it is not enough to show from Scripture that “faith and baptism” or “repentance and baptism” saves. Evangelical Christians also believe that “faith and baptism” saves, without accepting the idea of baptismal regeneration.

Really? I'll have to make that a thread on CARM to see if its true.

Evangelicals say that a person is saved by faith (instrumental cause) and baptism (as the sign of salvation). Whereas Catholics say that faith is a predisposition (which is not sufficient to save by itself); cleansing is actually brought about by baptism (instrumental cause).

I don't speak for Evangelicals, but, basically, you've got the Catholic Teaching correct.

So to prove baptismal regeneration, it must be shown that:

Baptism without personal faith saves (as in the case of infant baptism).

But you said you wouldn't accept Scripture? So, what do you want us to do, go to heaven and take a census?

Here is what Scripture says:

Acts 2:39

King James Version (KJV)

 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

I believe Scripture.

Without baptism, faith does not save (as in the case of catechumens who are not yet saved because they are not yet baptised, even though they have repented and believed in Christ).

The Church teaches us not to judge other people's salvation. That is God's prerogative:

1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit."God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.

Let us look at the most important “proof texts” to see whether they actually prove baptismal regeneration or not.

“Proof texts” examined

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

There is evidence that “water” is not primarily referring to baptism (see “Baptism: Born of Water”), but let’s say, for the sake of argument, that it is. “Water” and “Spirit” refer to different aspects of the work of regeneration. In Catholicism, the Spirit is the agent; water baptism is the instrument. In biblical Christianity, the Spirit is the agent; baptism is the sign of salvation. Why can’t we understand water as the reality signified by the external rite (namely spiritual cleansing and new life) that is brought about by the Spirit? Is there any compelling reason why “water” must be understood as the instrumental cause?

Wow? You are truly confused.

1. In biblical Christianity, the Spirit is the agent; baptism is the sign of salvation.[/b]

That is actually the Catholic Teaching. Except that Bible Only people also teach OSAS, which is not a Catholic Teaching.


694 Water. The symbolism of water signifies the Holy Spirit's action in Baptism, since after the invocation of the Holy Spirit it becomes the efficacious sacramental sign of new birth: just as the gestation of our first birth took place in water, so the water of Baptism truly signifies that our birth into the divine life is given to us in the Holy Spirit. As "by one Spirit we were all baptized," so we are also "made to drink of one Spirit." Thus the Spirit is also personally the living water welling up from Christ crucified as its source and welling up in us to eternal life.

2. Is there any compelling reason why “water” must be understood as the instrumental cause?

Who believes that "water" is the instrumental cause? Not the Catholic Church. Baptism is a Sacrament which involves a ritual which includes the pouring of water or a bath in water. Baptism, the entire ritual, is the instrumental cause. Not water.

Wow! It is hard to believe that you claim to understand Catholicism.

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Catholics and Evangelicals agree that faith and baptism saves.

Good to hear! I'll have to put that to the test since I'm pretty sure Evangelicals don't believe that.

We disagree on their separate roles. Can we understand baptism as the sign rather than the instrument of salvation? Certainly!

Water is the sign.

Baptism is the instrumental cause.

God is the efficient cause. In other words, God causes the washing of sins from our souls and He uses water and the word as the instrument by which He causes it:

Ephesians 5:26

King James Version (KJV)

 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Why do we have to see personal faith as a mere “predisposition”

Because that is what Scripture teaches. Without faith, it is impossible to please God:

Hebrews 11:6

King James Version (KJV)

 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

or indeed as unnecessary in the case of infants?

It is the faith of the parents which counts for their children:

Matthew 15:28

King James Version (KJV)

 28Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

Jesus emphasizes the primacy and necessity of faith by warning that “he who does not believe will be condemned.”

That is true. And the infant that is baptized and then when he grows up, repudiates that Baptism, he will be condemned.

We know, at least, that one can be baptized and still be lost if he does not believe.

Correct.

Matthew 16:16 says nothing about the unusual case of someone who believes and is not yet baptized. Therefore, this verse cannot be used to prove something ("faith is insufficient") that it is not talking about.

Then why did you bring it up?

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

In his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter powerfully persuaded the Jews that the man they had crucified as a blasphemer is the Lord and Messiah. They were pierced to the heart and asked what they should do. Peter replied that they must repent, i.e. change their mind about Jesus - they who previously disbelieved Jesus must now believe in Him. Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ served as a courageous public testimony of their repentance and faith in Him, knowing full well that it meant persecution from the Jewish leaders and the rest of the Jews.

Ok. You did leave out the part about:

Acts 2:39

King James Version (KJV)

 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.

There is nothing in the text that compels us to see baptism as the instrumental cause.

Huh? He said, repent and be baptized. Does he have to say? "because baptism is the instrumental cause". Come on now!

Why not take repentance as the means of receiving forgiveness, and baptism as the sign of true repentance and forgiveness?

Because we don't make up doctrine as we go along. We believe that which our forefathers taught in accordance with Scripture's command:

Hebrews 6:12

King James Version (KJV)

 12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Indeed, a short time later the apostle Peter promised forgiveness on the basis of repentance without even mentioning baptism (Acts 3:19 – Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out).

Does he say that you should not be baptized?

Faith in the Messiah (implied in genuine repentance), rather than baptism, receives God's gracious pardon.

Is one genuinely penitent who rejects the Baptism of Jesus Christ which He commanded?

Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

The outward act, “arise and be baptized,” is linked to the heart appeal to Christ, “calling on the name of the Lord.” The result is spiritual cleansing - “wash away your sins.” We see immediately that this verse says nothing about forgiveness apart from personal faith.

Nor apart from Baptism.

Nor does it necessarily prove that “calling upon the Lord” is insufficient for cleansing.

But this does:

Matthew 7:21

King James Version (KJV)

 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

If they were cleansed by calling upon the Lord, they would be in heaven, wouldn't they?

For baptism can be considered as an external sign (washing the body) of the inner reality (washing the heart from sin) brought about by faith (calling on the Lord).

Brought about by the Lord upon those who have faith and demonstrate that faith by keeping the Commandments.

Grammatically, “wash away your sins” is linked to “calling on the name of the Lord” and not to “be baptized.”

Uh, "Baptize" means "wash".

Elsewhere Scripture is clear that the instrument of salvation is calling upon the name of the Lord by faith.

Elsewhere Scripture says that those who have faith in Christ will be baptized:

Colossians 2:12

King James Version (KJV)

 12Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

God “is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him whom they have not believed?” (Romans 10:12-14). In other words, their faith (manifest in their call for mercy) results in salvation. Baptism does not repeat what is already achieved through faith (salvation, cleansing); baptism signifies this great truth.

Their faith results in their salvation, if they are baptized. Mark 16:16

Romans 6:3, 4 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

This passage, especially the phrase “buried with Him through baptism,” seems to support the idea that baptism is the instrumental cause of justification.

It does support that case very well.

However, even here baptism could be understood as the sign of justification. It is not unusual in Scripture to call the reality by the name of its sign.

Very good! That is precisely what the Church teaches.

Thus, for example, Paul says that all Christians are circumcised (even though one may not be physically circumcised!) - meaning that they possess what circumcision signifies (Philippians 3:3). Using this kind of language, Paul can speak of the great reality of the believers’ spiritual union with Christ, and the benefits which flow from that union, in terms of baptism, its sign.

Amen! That is Catholic Teaching.

We are forced to give this interpretation by the context. Before mentioning baptism in chapter 6, Paul had repeatedly emphasized that faith alone is the instrumental cause of justification (Romans 1:16, 17; 3:22, 25, 26, 28, 30; 4:5, 13; 5:1, 2).

Show me one case where St. Paul said, "faith ALONE is the cause" of anything good.

Righteousness is “imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised up because of our justification” (Romans 4:24,25).

Lets read that in context:

19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:20He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;21And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform 22And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead 25Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

As we can see, that is speaking of Abraham and it says that he had so much faith, that he united himself with his wife and PERFORMED even though he was too old to have children. FAITH AND WORKS

People who have faith in God don't sit back and say, "Oh that's not necessary. God knows I believe and I will be saved by my faith alone." No! Those who believe in Christ show their faith in their works.

Since they received the benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection (justification), and that through faith, believers must be spiritually united to Him (delivered and raised up with Him). If baptism is taken as the instrumental cause, then Paul contradicts what he had established before, namely that justification is by faith.

On the contrary, he establishes it. Baptism is the WORK OF GOD. Believing in God, we submit to Baptism. We don't wash our own soul. Therefore it is not by our work that we are saved. But only those who do the will of God will be saved in Baptism. Because only they will submit to Baptism.

Elsewhere, the apostle Paul clearly teaches that what is signified in baptism (buried and raised with Christ) actually occurs “through faith.”

Catholic Teaching. That is why Baptism is the sacrament of faith.

Christians are “buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). Justification on account of union in Christ's death, burial and resurrection is brought about “through faith” - and is properly symbolized by dipping the new believer in and out of the water.

It is brought about through faith if one is baptized and believes. Not if one denies the promise of God.

1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us - baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Peter was speaking about Noah and his family who were saved through the floodwater. He makes a comparison between that water and baptism. One corresponds to the other (that’s what antitype means). The flood symbolized baptism. Further, Peter says that baptism now saves us.

Conscious that his statement is liable to be misunderstood, Peter explains himself. Negatively, baptism does not save because water is applied to the body: “not the removal of the filth of the flesh.” Water can only cleanse the flesh outwardly; it does not cleanse the heart from sin. Positively, baptism saves because it follows a personal response to God as indicated by the phrase “the answer of a good conscience toward God.” The Bible usually uses such terms as “believe,” “repent,” and “call upon” to describe this personal response to God. It is that aspect of baptism (what is signified, “the answer of a good conscience toward God”) rather than the external rite (the sign, the application of water) that saves. In this sense, we affirm that baptism saves.

Amen! Because God washes the soul of the Baptized. Catholic Teaching.

Consider the following conversation:

Q. Are you married?

A. Yes, I am married; see, I’m wearing this ring.

Q. What does the ring signify?

A. It means that I gave my consent to my wife and, therefore, I am united to her.

Strictly speaking, the husband is united to his wife because of the marriage vows rather than the ring. Yet since the latter is the sign of their union, it is natural to speak of the ring to mean the reality it represents. He is married because he wears a marriage ring. Compare this to a similar conversation about salvation:

Q. Are you saved?

A. Yes I am saved, because I am baptized.

Q. What does baptism signify?

A. It signifies that I believe in Christ and, therefore, I am united to Him.

So, when we say that baptism saves us, we do not mean that the sacrament saves us apart from faith in Christ; we mean that baptism signifies our salvation by faith in Christ.

Huh? Who teaches that anyone can be saved apart from faith in Christ? Even infants can't be saved apart from faith in Christ since it is the faith of their parents which is of importance at the time when they can't exercise their own.

Contrast this to the position of the Roman Catholic Church. Infants are said to be saved by baptism even though by reason of his age a baby cannot make such a personal appeal to God, as the Bible requires. 1 Peter 3:21 actually denies baptismal regeneration ex opere operate!

No it doesn't. It affirms it. The water washes the skin as a sign of the washing of the conscience (i.e. soul) which is effected by God.

Conclusion

We have seen that there are a few scriptures that relate baptism to salvation. All these scriptures also associate baptism with faith and repentance.

Agreed.

Therefore, baptism can be understood as the sign of salvation received by faith in Christ.

A sign which effects that which it symbolizes.

None of these verses prove that baptism, rather than faith, brings about justification,

I think so.

nor that infant baptism is efficacious since personal faith is absent in infants.

Again, Jesus effected many signs and healings towards the children of the faithful. Not because of the child's faith, but because of the faith of those who love them.

Therefore, baptismal regeneration is not a proven biblical doctrine.

Quite the opposite. It is proven. You simply don't believe the Biblical proof.

What are the practical implications? Be careful not to be deceived, thinking that you are right with God simply because you have been baptized.

That is Catholic Teaching.

You could be baptized and still be lost.

Still Catholic Teaching.

On the other hand, if you truly believe in Christ - relying on Him alone for salvation, while showing your faith in holiness and love - then baptism is God’s sign to you of your saving union with Christ.

And therefore, Baptism is required. And yes, it is a sign. An efficacious sign of that which God has accomplished in the believer.

Sincerely,

De Maria