So you and other Lutherans would have us to believe that one passes from being a "dead man" to a "spiritual man" through baptismal regeneration—a work in which man is involved! Yet I must ask, from whence does this desire to be baptized come in an adult? How do the dead (Eph 2:1) inquire of life when they are dead (Rom 3:11) in sin, for they are, according to your philosophy, not yet regenerate until they are baptized. The unregenerate man cannot even understand the will of God (1 Cor 2:14; Rom 8:5-8), thus how does he know to ask and how can he effectually ask for baptism to be regenerate? How do these enemies of God (Col 1:21) first make peace with God (Rom 5:1-3) and then ask for baptism to be regenerate? Thus, in baptismal regeneration, Lutherans (1) make man able to do things he is not able to do, (2) diminish God's grace to a mere aid, and (3) make the death of Christ a mere premise that is conditional upon man's act of obedience (rather than the finished and effectual work of Christ alone; i.e. a man does the water baptism, i.e. works)). This is nothing less than a false Arminian gospel—which is no Gospel at all.

When we read Titus 3:5 it states, “not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.” It is significant to note that at no point in this verse is human activity ever the subject or means of any verb. Humans are the objects of the main verb (HE saved US, according to HIS mercy, by the HOLY SPIRIT). Thus, a sound contrast is given here. It is not on the basis of our works, but it is on the basis of God’s mercy that any are saved. Furthermore, baptism is not seen as a parallel activity—since the washing is not given as an unconnected function from the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (the Greek here states, “through a washing” not “through a Lutheran baptismal bowl for washing.” The washing referred to is wholly spiritual. It is that of regeneration and renewing, regarded as one concept (Ezek 36:25; John 3:5; Eph 5:26; Jam 1:18; 1 Pet 1:23). If, truly, "all our righteousness is as filthy rags,” then even the greatest of our deeds (of which baptism is a part) cannot merit eternal life. Regeneration does not depend upon our own will, works, or obedience (John 1:12-13; Gal 2:16; Eph 2:8-10), but upon God's will and works and on Christ's perfect obedience in laying His life down for us (Eph 2:4-10; Tit 3:4-7; 2 Tim 1:8-9, etc.).

Charles Hodge wrote concerning baptismal regeneration, saying;

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The doctrine of baptismal regeneration, that is, the doctrine that inward spiritual renovation always attends baptism rightly administered to the unresisting, and that regeneration is never effected without it, is contrary to Scripture, subversive of evangelical religion, and opposed to universal experience. It is, moreover, utterly irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Reformed churches. For that doctrine teaches that all the regenerated are saved. “Whom God calls them he also glorifies,” Romans 8:30. It is, however, plain from Scripture, and in accordance with the faith of the universal church, that multitudes of the baptized perish. The baptized, therefore, as such, are not the regenerated.
Also, you stated, “Lutherans see Baptism as mostly "Gospel.”” What are the other part(s)? Please note that your argument about faith from Romans 10:17 is insufficient as it deals with faith and not regeneration. Regeneration is by the sole act of the Holy Spirit, and precedes faith. We are not regenerated because we believe, we believe because we are regenerated (2 Thess. 2.13; Acts 16:14). A person is passive in regeneration, but active in faith.

Your doctrines do not look at the whole of the Scripture as; (1) If baptism is necessary for salvation then why did Paul downplay/exclude it from the description of what is required for salvation? (1 Cor 1:14-17). (2) Christ was baptized (Matt 3:11-15). But, if baptism was for the remission of sins as Lutherans claim, then Christ "also" had his sins remitted, but if it was not to remit His sins, then the sins of men are not remitted by it. Christ had no sins to remit, thus man's sin cannot be remiited through baptism. (3) It is not essential to salvation. The thief was not baptized before his death (Luke 23:43). (4) OT saints, John, and many others in the New Testament, who were filled with the Spirit, were not baptized with water (Heb 11, Luke 1:15, Luke 1: 41, Luke 1:46, Luke 1:67; Luke 2:25-38), etc. Your doctrine in indefensible from Scripture!

Please give us a complete exegesis of "one" Scripture (not a cut and paste from some commentary) defending your view? [Linked Image]

Reformed and Always Reforming,