I know it is a common belief that forgiveness, which at our first regeneration we receive by baptism alone, is after baptism procured by means of penitence and the keys. But those who entertain this fiction err from not considering that the power of the keys, of which they speak, so depends on baptism, that it ought not on any account to be separated from it. The sinner receives forgiveness by the ministry of the Church; in other words, not without the preaching of the gospel. And of what nature is this preaching? That we are washed from our sins by the blood of Christ. And what is the sign and evidence of that washing if it be not baptism? We see, then, that that forgiveness has reference to baptism. This error had its origin in the fictitious sacrament of penance, on which I have already touched.

-- John Calvin, Institutes 4.15.4

Here we say nothing more than the apostle Paul expounds most clearly in the sixth and seventh chapters of the Epistle to the Romans. He had discoursed of free justification, but as some wicked men thence inferred that they were to live as they listed, because their acceptance with God was not procured by the merit of works, he adds, that all who are clothed with the righteousness of Christ are at the same time regenerated by the Spirit, and that we have an earnest of this regeneration in baptism. Hence he exhorts believers not to allow sin to reign in their members.

-- John Calvin, Institutes  4.15.12

The last advantage which our faith receives from baptism is its assuring us not only that we are ingrafted into the death and life of Christ, but so united to Christ himself as to be partakers of all his blessings. For he consecrated and sanctified baptism in his own body, that he might have it in common with us as the firmest bond of union and fellowship which he deigned to form with us; and hence Paul proves us to be the sons of God, from the fact that we put on Christ in baptism [Gal. 3:27]. Thus we see the fulfilment of our baptism in Christ, whom for this reason we call the proper object of baptism. Hence it is not strange that the apostles are said to have baptized in the name of Christ, though they were enjoined to baptize in the name of the Father and Spirit also [Acts 8:16; 19:5; Mt. 28:19].

-- John Calvin, Institutes 4.15.6

An old post, apropos in light of Pope Franky's immigration remarks.

If you spport mass immigration, third world refugees, welfare, etc., you hate your neighbors.

You hate your European neighbors being ethnically replaced, you hate your peaceful countrymen being terrorized by third world criminals, and you hate your taxpaying neighbors being robbed by the government to support useless parasites.

And if you take issue with the above statements because they weren't adequately winsome, you're a low-T beta male.

never

Regeneration we obtain from his death and resurrection only, when sanctified by his Spirit we are imbued with a new and spiritual nature. Wherefore we obtain, and in a manner distinctly perceive, in the Father the cause, in the Son the matter, and in the Spirit the effect of our purification and regeneration. Thus first John baptized, and thus afterwards the apostles by the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, understanding by the term repentance, regeneration, and by the remission of sins, ablution.

-- John Calvin, Institutes 4.15.6

Open Forum Friday:

What pastor, theologian, or church writer has been most influential on you?

Seriously considered, the notion that something came from nothing and that man magically evolved from mud is far more preposterous than the very reasonable and universally self-evident idea that God created the world and man.

Collect for the 15th Sunday after Pentecost

Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness,
and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

But there is no absurdity in saying that God uses the sign as an instrument . . . Some are offended at this, thinking that it takes from the Holy Spirit what is peculiar to Him. But they are mistaken ... Nothing is attributed to the sign than to be an inferior instrument, useless in itself, except so far as it derives its power from elsewhere.

-- John Calvin, Commentary on Ephesians 5

Brothers, you cannot love your enemies if you have no enemies.

The best way most of us can obey Jesus' directive is to piss off God's enemies.

Arguing for the government to forgive student loans is like arguing for the government to reiumburse victims of theft.

It's the thief, in this case the colleges, which ought to make restitution (not taxpayers).

Lol. Just for fun.

What are some perplexing Bible verses?

After fall busy season, I would like to spend some time explaining difficult passages. What are some I should add to the list?