"And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (II Tim 2:2). My goal is only to teach and defend God's word (Phil.1:17; Jude 3).
First we need to define some terms: The word "regeneration" as used here means a "new birth." The word "violate" means: "To do harm to (property or qualities considered sacred); desecrate or defile" (American Heritage Dictionary). So the statement: "Baptismal regeneration violates grace," is saying that if one must be baptized into Christ (the new birth) in order to be saved, then that would harm, desecrate or defile God's grace.
Jesus said in John 3:5: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." The word except means there is no other way into the kingdom. In Titus 3:5 we read that one is not saved, "by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." The washing of regeneration is the "new birth" by the washing away of sins. Paul said we are saved "by the washing of regeneration." The writer states no, that would "violate God's grace"! Notice what Ananias commanded Saul to do in Acts 22:16: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins [washing of regeneration], calling on the name of the Lord."
Jesus said in John 3:3: "Except a man (not a baby) be born again (the new birth) he cannot see the kingdom of God." Baptism is the washing of regeneration, the new birth into Christ. Paul said in Rom.6:3-4: "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. When a man is born again, he begins a new life. That is the nature of birth. Paul said that new life begins when one is buried by baptism into his death and raised to walk that new life. That is the washing of regeneration. Does that violate grace?
Then the writer says of Acts:2:38, that "many misinterpret because they ignore the far context." That verse reads: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." The writer says, "Peter issued the strongest commandment possible in the language-REPENT. Note however, a person's repentance is not what saves, it is still the grace given from God." Peter didn't say repent because God's grace has already saved you. He didn't say repent for the remission of sins! Peter said, "repent, and be baptized...for the remission of sins." BOTH are commanded. The writer completely ignored the word "baptized" in the verse as though baptism can be separated from repentance. Webster's New World Dictionary says, the copulative conjunction "and" is "used to join elements of equal grammatical value." Both are required "for the remission of sins." It is not possible that their sins were removed before they repented and were baptized. That is the new birth that Jesus said is necessary in order to enter the kingdom of God. Ananias said that baptism "washes away sins" (Acts 22:16). Peter said baptism "saves us" (I Pet 3:21). God's grace provides that plan for salvation.
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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