the Outlook Blog

Reading Calvin on baptism, I ponder something I've been working on for some years now - two "baptisms" - one related to circumcision - i.e. God's grace toward us, unmerited and unconditional; and John's baptism (given to the already-circumcized) as a reconfirmation and witness to others - as Calvin says, "our confession before men" (4.15.1). Two "baptisms" would, once and for all, bind together and affirm that which has divided Protestantism - infant vs. adult baptism. Why not both? Why not see them as one and the same, but with respect to their purpose, a difference: infant baptism is the sign and seal of God's favor toward us and our children; John's baptism is a confession, that we receive God's favor with joy, and with joy, bear witness of our life in Christ, confessing him as Lord and Savior, to the world. One baptism, but two dimensions appropriate to two stages in life: our infancy and a point in adulthood (I have never found confirmation to be adequate at this point) - I think John's baptism says it well: it's directed to adults and seeks, through their conscience, a conversion of both heart and life.