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JE said,

Our faith does not stand in the works of man (i.e. water baptism), but in the power of God. Your doctrine is more akin to RCC than anything—salvation through the administration of the priests.
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Speratus dreams,

This accusation has already been sufficiently refuted.
Pray tell where, inquiring minds desire to know?

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JE said,

Lastly, baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant to a child. This does not mean they have faith, nor does it mean they are elect. The Scripture declares that both elect and the non-elect may be part and parcel of God’s covenant to fulfill God’s purpose in all the earth.
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Speratus assumes,

Christ places His mark on all baptized babies, whether they are ever regenerate or not. Do non-elect babies obtain any benefit from baptism when they reject the grace of God truly offered and promised to them through the sacrament? No.
Sorry, wrong again. Covenant children, even the non-elect ones, have the benefit of the teaching of the Word, of a Christian example in the home, the Church, of prayers, etc., which are all part and parcel of covenant relationship.

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JE said,

I could look back at my baptism and see where God had put me in covenant with Him early on. This meant that God had a responsibility to me and I to Him. Though this did not guarantee my salvation, it still put certain obligations upon both of us (me and God that is). God and His people were faithful to train me up and love me though I did not deserve it. See I learned that God was faithful to His covenant, though I was not.
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Speratus Arminianizes,

The Crib Calvinist turns the grace of God freely offered in baptism into a synergistic work, "Though this did not guarantee my salvation, it {baptism} still put certain obligations upon both of us (me and God that is)." Baptism is not a covenant between God and man but a testament of God's grace toward fallen man who can do nothing to save himself.
Where did I say that God is obligated to save one in the covenant—I didn't. The Covenant view rests upon election, predestination, grace alone (mongerism, not synergism), etc. for salvation.

Moreover, God is obligated to His covenant, which you are assuming only has blessing, however cursings also apply for those who break it! Every Covenant deals with the justice of God and not only God’s love, provision, blessing, etc.! God does not violate the covenant even when He condemns the non-elect covenant members to Hell. God fulfills His obligation!


Reformed and Always Reforming,