Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-07-09
Ecclesiastical and Scriptural Notes.
BY A LAYMAN (sNow HILL.


baptism-even including adequate au
thority for infan.ile baptism-the read
er may refer to the following: St.
Matthew IS, 1913, 2, 3, 4, S, 6, 10,
I4,-Io, IA; St John 3, 5, S. 81,
az; ST. Mark 10, 10 St Luke IS, 1 6 /;
Titus 3, s, 6; Cor. I, 10; Acts, 2,
IS, 80, 4I-S, IL, $50, IS, IA,
I5,-2a, 10; Eph. S, 20; Peter 8,
81; Gal. 5, 81.
Baptismal Regeneration.-The opin-
ion OF Episcopalians generally relative
to this subject depends upon the mean
ing attached to the word regeneration.
Using it in the sense of change of
heart, l do not hold it, and suppose
others do not. In another sense the
Episcopal Church maintains it, and we
believe it to be true the Presbyterian
and Methodist formula also seem to
teach it with that same meaning; it
has often been said they do not in any
sense, but that is clearly mistake.
l have not known more than one
author who apparently gave to it the
meaning of change of heart. A few
years ago, the House of Bishops of the
Episcopal Church in the United States
declared that there was no moral
change in baptism. That resolution
surprised many Episcopalians who did
not perceive the cause of, or reason in,
it, most of whom perhaps preferred
that body had withheld expression on
that point.
The word regeneration, when alone,
is ordinarily used in a sense different
from the word in the expression Bap-
tismal regeneration. Hence in the
Methodist Article it is employed in a
sense different from that in the Metho-
dist Catechism.
The corresponding word in the
Greek, polesgenesia, from palm, again,
and ginoadi, to be, l believe will not
specially aid us in Interpretation but
since some reader might think it would,
it is mentioned
will here quote the following words
Cor nearly the same language as that)
of an able and distinguished divine,
the late Bishop hittingham, in a SER
mon preached to Presbyterians in
I82o:-" v hen we speak of regenera-
ton in baptism, we do not mean by
that word what most denominations
use it to express = the change of heart"
Gle meant some persons and not de.
nominations strictly.) 1--WE adhere
closely to the use OF the word in Scrip
ture while some Others nave given it
new meaning which it has not there.
A change of state, an admission to new
condition and relations. is the proper
meaning Of the term regeneration. l
believe it is found in only two places
in the Bible-Math. 70, 2S Titus I,
S and in one " it is expressly distin
guished from the the renewing of the
Holy Ghost and made the consequence
of washing, that is Baptism" i" The
change of heart we do most explicitly
recognize as indispensable to salvation
and we do not consider it as effected
i'll baptism. The regeneration which
We speak of in that ordinance is simply
a change of state, from being out of
covenant without title to the promises
(under ordinary circumstances to the
condition of heirs of the promises. by
the gift of grace connected with God
through Christ" The above statement
that some others have given it a new
meaning can only be true when applied
to some individuals, and the speaker
did not allude to formulas.
Words of formula will now be quoted
in all of which you will perceive the
term regeneration has identical import.
In the 27th article of the Prayer Book
we read as follows: :" Baptism is not
only a sign of profession <
but it IS also sign of Regeneration or
New Birth, whereby as by an instru-
ment they that receive Baptism rightly
are grated into the Church the prom
ises of the forgiveness of sin and Of
Our adoption to be the sons Of God by
the Holy Ghost are visibly signed and
sealed; faith is confirmed and grace
increased by virtue of prayer unto
God " And in the Office of baptism, -
Seeing these persons are now regen-
crate" or, "Seeing this
child is now regenerate." x
In the 18th Methodist article part
of the same language is used as fol-
lows -" Baptism is not only a sign
of profession but it is also
sign of regeneration or the new
BIRTH" X
In the Confession of Faith, page TAG
of standard edition of the Constitution
of the Presbyterian Church, the follow
ing words occur -" Baptism is sac
rament X to be a sign and
seal of the covenant of grace, of in
grating into Christ, of regeneration,
of remission of sins" On
page I52 we read, Grace and saliva
ton are not so inseparably annexed
unto it, as that no person can be re-
generated or saved without it, or that
all that are baptized are undoubtedly
regenerated. Nearly all Christians of
the present day probably believe that !;
it is perfectly compatible with all the
foregoing and following formula. On
same page, -" The grace promised is
not only offered, but really exhibited
and conferred nv the Holy ChOst -