speratus said: If he regards baptism as his work or the work of the minister, he has denied the gospel. If he believes through the preaching of the Word, he is already regenerate.
Romans 5:1-3 does not apply to them if they are trusting in their own work of baptism not Christ alone. If they are trusting in Christ alone, the Holy Spirit has already made them regenerate.
Justification by faith and regeneration occur simultaneously. If regeneration precedes faith, we would be justified by the subsequent work of believing not faith alone or by an inner change rather than imputation. Lutheranism denies the synergism you propose. _________________________________________________
(3)The grace of Christ is offered to all in baptism. The grace of Christ is received in baptism when and where it pleases God.
(2) Lutherans testify to the words of scripture: Acts. 22:16. As our substitute, Christ fulfilled all righteousness. He who knew no sin became sin for us. In our baptism, our sins are washed away. In His baptism, He becomes filthy with our sins.
(3)Baptism is essential to salvation. Whoever rejects baptism can not be saved.
How can you hold to these contradictory statements with a clear conscience?
Your assumption is incorrect; therefore, your conclusion is incorrect.
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Pilgrim continues Those statements above the line say that anyone who believes the Word is already regenerate. And, if one is regenerate, then automatically faith is expressed. And further you say "Justification by faith and regeneration occur simultaneously." All this is in full agreement with Scripture; regeneration is the secret and sovereign work of God wherein faith is implanted in the newly created soul which infallibly reaches out and takes hold of Christ whereby the sinner is pronounced justified. This is the first and most essential element of salvation from which sanctification and glorification proceed.
However, you go on to say that "Baptism is essential to salvation" because in baptism "our sins are washed away". What pray tell is "justification" if not the remission of sins; the judicial declaration of God to the sinner that Christ's blood has washed away his/her sins and Christ's righteousness is imputed to him/her?
I find it strange that a person holding the WCF has trouble grasping the concept that "The efficacy of Baptism is not tied to that moment of time wherein it is administered." The washing away of sins through baptism, forensic justification, is not tied to a moment of time wherein it is administered.
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Pilgrim asks Since faith alone is sufficient to obtain justification, then why is baptism "essential to salvation"?
If we are justified by Christ alone through faith alone, tell me, how is it possible that someone who despises Baptism in Christ could have received faith in Christ?
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Pilgrim asks What is lacking in the means which God has ordained for salvation; faith in Christ? Is this not the very foundation upon which the Reformation stood; even Luther himself? (cf. Rom 3:22, 28, 30 [significant to see here is that both the uncircumcised and circumcised are justified by faith and that baptism, at least for us paedobaptists, having replaced circumcision is excluded]; Gal 3:11, 22, 24, 26).
Faith is the only means whereby the sinner apprehends the righteousness of Christ. But, God does not grant that faith apart from the work of the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Word and the administration of the Sacraments instituted by Christ. Thus, God protects the sinner from imagining that faith comes through his own works, prayers, and secret strivings.
