John Calvin on Parental Authority

However unworthy of honor a father may be, that he still retains, inasmuch as he is a father, his right over his children, provided it does not in anywise derogate from the judgment of God....

In condemning, therefore, the vices of a father, a truly pious son will subscribe to God's Law; and still, whatsoever he may be, will acknowledge that he is to be honored, as being the father given him by God....

Paul, therefore, does not simply exhort children to obey their parents, but adds the restriction, "in the Lord;" whereby he indicates that, if a father enjoins anything unrighteous, obedience is freely to be denied him. Immoderate strictness, moroseness, and even cruelty must be born, so long as a mortal man, by wickedly demanding what is not lawful, does not endeavor to rob God of His right. In a word, the Law so subjects children to their parents, as that God's right may remain uninfringed.

Commentary on Exodus [20:12]

We hold, then, that baptism being a spiritual washing and a sign of our regeneration, serves as an evidence that God introduces us into his Church to make us, as it were, his children and heirs... [the] ordinary method in which God accomplishes our salvation is by beginning it in baptism and carrying it gradually forward during the course of life.

-- John Calvin, Epistle to Westphal

The Church of England is dropping the word "church" to rebrand...

Apparently, most if not all church plants are branding themselves as "new things," "communities," or "congregations" as opposed to churches. This appears to be part of a larger agenda to rebrand for the C of E, which effort has a price tag of 82.7M pounds.

Pray for the reformation of the C of E, whom many martyrs have died to defend.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/church-england-appears-stop-using-word-church-sound-more-relevant-study

https://unherd.com/2024/08/why-cant-the-church-say-church/

Q324. What is the meaning of Baptism? A:First, forgiveness of sins; and secondly, spiritual regeneration is figured by it.

Q328. Is the water only a figure to us?
I understand it to be a figure, but still so that the reality is annexed to it; for God does not disappoint us when he promises us his gifts. Accordingly, it is certain that both pardon of sins and newness of life are offered to us in baptism and received by us.

-- John Calvin, Geneva Catechism

Collect for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty God, who hast given thy only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive
that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Let the readers therefore remember, that we are not here disputing whether it is necessary to baptize infants, nor calling in question whether by baptism they are ingrafted into the body of Christ, nor whether it is to them a laver of regeneration, nor whether it seals the pardon of their sins. The only question is the absolute necessity of Baptism.

-- John Calvin, The True Method of Reforming the Church

We, too, acknowledge that the use of Baptism is necessary--that no one may omit it from either neglect or contempt. In this way we by no means make it free [that is, optional]. And not only do we strictly bind the faithful to the observance of it, but we also maintain that it is the ordinary instrument of God in washing and renewing us; in short, in communicating to us salvation. The only exception we make is, that the hand of God must not be tied down to the instrument. He may of himself accomplish salvation. For when an opportunity for Baptism is wanting, the promise of God alone is amply sufficient.

-- John Calvin, Antidote to the Council of Trent, 7.5

Paul, therefore, that children may be more willing to obey their parents, reminds us that this "is the first commandment with promise," (Eph. 6:2;).... The reward, that the days of children who have behaved themselves piously to their parents shall be prolonged, aptly corresponds with the observance of the commandment, since in this manner God gives us a proof of His favor in this life, when we have been grateful to those to whom we are indebted for it; whilst it is by no means just that they should greatly prolong their life who despise those progenitors by whom they have been brought into it.

-- John Calvin, Commentary on Exodus [20:12]

> Be me
> Be the most loved English Bible for centuries
> Legacy forgotten today
> Contain epicly based notes
> Be preferred version of Puritans
> Be the mandated Bible of Scotland
> Be translated under the influence of Knox, Calvin, and Coverdale
> Be the first English Bible to be read in the New World
> Get banned by papist simps
> Be the Geneva Bible
> Pic unrelated

We must realize that at whatever time we are baptized, we are once for all washed and purged for our whole life. Therefore, as often as we fall away, we ought to recall the memory of our baptism and fortify our mind with it, that we may always be sure and confident of the forgiveness of sins.

-- John Calvin, Institutes 4.15.3

The proclivity to pit "fairness" against Divine Sovereignty is one of the clearest demonstrations of total depravity. We'd rather make God look inept that surrender our sovereignty.

"Catholics for Choice" is just as representative of Romanism as charismatics are of Protestantism.

There is just as much disunity within Rome as on the other side of the Tiber; perhaps more, since there's only one organization they're all fighting to control.

As always, pray for reformation and the repentance of our Roman brothers.

Therefore, there is no doubt that all pious folk throughout life, whenever they are troubled by a consciousness of their faults, may venture to remind themselves of their baptism, that from it they may be confirmed in assurance of that sole and perpetual cleansing which we have in Christ’s blood.

-- John Calvin, Institutes 4.15.4

The Calvin-posting will continue until theology improves.