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J_Edwards said:
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I don't understand how Calvin can call baptism an appendage of the gospel and also a work of God.
This is very simple. Baptism is a work of man. Man is the one that does the baptism-he literally does the sprinkling, etc. (don't confuse water baptism with Spirit baptism). The subject submits to being baptized. Baptism is a work of man. However, Calvin calls it "a work of God" in that God administers grace because of obedience to His covenant.

I take it your definition of "grace" is not unmerited favor but favor granted because of obediance to His covenant? How is the merit associated with the administration of baptism (e.g., sprinkling, etc.) transferred to the person being baptized? Does an infant also perform a meritorious work by submitting to baptism?

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However, this is not "saving grace" for then baptism (a work of man) would violate Eph 2:8-9 and other texts. Salvation then would partly be a work of man and man could not longer said to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit alone and thus have root in himself to claim he saved himself.

Does man sin in all his works? If so, does not man's work of baptism increase his condemnation under the law? And, if baptism only increases man's condemnation, how can baptism be saving under any definition?