# Der Lutheraner_St. Louis Missouri_1855 01 02_S77
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77

1:16, it pleased him by foolish preaching to save those who believe, 1 Cor. 1:21. In the ordinary way, therefore, he works faith in the hearts of men through the hearing and consideration of the Word; nevertheless this act of God is not absolutely bound to the hearing of the Word, since he converted Saul, who was breathing out threatenings and slaughter, (without any such preaching). Acts 9. Nor do we say that the power of regeneration inheres in the water as in its subject by natural means, or that the grace of the Holy Spirit is attached to it in any natural manner and by an inseparable bond; but we say that that power is joined to this Sacrament by virtue of the sacramental mystery, from divine ordinance, as with an instrument and in a supernatural manner, for the salvation of those who believe. The case is therefore different with children, different with adults. We say that in Baptism all and every one of the children are regenerated, since they offer no resistance to the working of the Holy Spirit, who kindles true faith, nor resist him by actual impenitence and unbelief, nor are they subject to the danger of hypocrisy. And this we prove from the general declarations of Scripture concerning the blessed efficacy of Baptism, Rom. 6:3: "All we who are baptized into Jesus Christ are baptized into his death." Gal. 3:27: "As many of you as have been baptized have put on Christ"; likewise from the gracious will of God toward all; from the universality of Christ's merit, the application of which takes place through Baptism; from the truth and completeness of Baptism, which is the same in all baptized children, etc. If not all children were regenerated through Baptism, this would be either the fault of the children, which is not the case, since they are alike with respect to the stain of original sin; or the fault of Baptism, which likewise is not the case, since the true and the same Baptism is, as presupposed, administered to them; or the fault of God, which also cannot be said, because it is not the Father's will that one of these little ones should perish, Matt. 18:14. God will have all men to be saved, 1 Tim. 2:4; he is faithful that promised, Heb. 10:23. That, however, many adults cheat themselves out of the saving efficacy of Baptism itself by actual impenitence, as well as by hypocrisy and by wilful resistance, we willingly grant; but from this the objection is by no means to be made that Baptism is therefore not in and by itself the saving means of regeneration! The Word of God is not effectual in all unto faith and salvation, but will it on that account not be the saving means through which God works faith and salvation? The axe does not cease to be a tool for splitting, although it does not split stones: so Baptism is and remains a washing of regeneration, even when it is administered to hypocrites; not with regard to him who receives it, since hypocrites lack faith and hinder the working of the Holy Spirit, but with regard to its nature, or rather to the divine institution for that purpose. It is also objected: "Many who were baptized in childhood live exceedingly ill when they are grown up. Therefore they were not regenerated through Baptism, for whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin. 1 John 3:9." I answer: Those vicious men show in this way, not that they were never regenerated, but that they have fallen away from the grace and benefit of regeneration. The regeneration and renewal which takes place in Baptism is of such a nature that evil lust and sin are not wholly blotted out and rooted out of the flesh, but are forgiven and mortified; and to this end the Holy Spirit is given through Baptism, that the regenerate may through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the flesh and manfully fight against the sin still remaining in the flesh. If now the man regenerated and renewed through Baptism indulges the lusts of the flesh in security and lives after the flesh, he loses the grace of God, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and eternal salvation. We are indeed engrafted into the spiritual vine as branches, but those which abide not in it are broken off and cast into the fire, John 15:6. Therefore Prosper writes: "He who denies that the one who fell back after Baptism into unbelief and ungodly life had been cleansed from inherited sin errs as much as he who maintains that such a one is not to be condemned to eternal death"! (Loc. theol. l. de bapt. § 119. 120. 121. 124. 125.)

(To be concluded.)

Popish Superstition.

Many suppose, when they read in Luther's writings what shameful superstition was practised by the people under the papacy, and promoted by the clergy in every way in order to coax the poor people out of their money, that now it is different, that now such manifestly heathenish doings no longer prevail in the Roman church. But, alas! it is not so. To the disgrace of the Christian name, an even madder superstition is, on the contrary, practised in that church just now than before the Reformation. How could it be otherwise, after the papists despised the gracious visitation which they experienced 300 years ago, and hardened themselves against it! It had to go with them as with the heathen, whom "God gave up to the lusts of their hearts, and who changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man," etc. (Rom. 1:23, 24). Yes, it was foretold of the followers of Antichrist that God, because they would not "receive the love of the truth," would "send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie," and that Antichrist would deceive them "with all power and signs and lying wonders." (2 Thess. 2:7-12.) Of a thousand examples from our time, only one. Thus it says, for instance, in Oertel's Kirchen-Zeitung, in the number of the 7th of December of last year: "In the Rione Regola there lies a little church called Santa Maria in Monticelli, where in June a picture of Christ is said to have moved its eyes. But the Vicar-General had it forthwith brought out of the chapel into the interior of the adjoining monastery, in order to examine whether the rumor was confirmed, and according to a decree of the highest ecclesiastical authority this proved to be the case; for no fewer than fifty-four witnesses affirmed it on oath. The picture is now again in the little church in its former place, and thousands are on the way to it at every hour of the day." Indeed the correspondent from Rome (of the 28th of October) testifies: "I do not remember having seen the people in such religious excitement on any occasion as just now."

That the Roman priests, by arranging such idolatrous veneration, take the people's money, for that is naturally what is aimed at in the last resort, one might perhaps look on quietly: but that they thereby drag whole multitudes with them down to hell, that is what one cannot lament enough. And not enough that this happens in Italy, the imposture must also be trumpeted abroad here as a holy thing, in order to tear souls away from God here also and to lead them into idolatry.

Resolutions of the Evang. Luth. Synod of Tennessee, in Reference to the Synod of Missouri, Ohio and Other States.

Since the Rev. Th. Brohm of the city of New York has appeared among us as delegate from the Evang. Luth. Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States, and we are assured, both by personal conversation with him and by other reports, that the Synod which he represents holds strictly to the doctrines of the Evang. Luth. Church as they are set forth in her confessions, and is zealously engaged in furthering the affairs of the kingdom of our Redeemer, be it therefore

1. Resolved, that we are highly rejoiced to see Brother Brohm in our midst,

2. Resolved, that we gladly return the friendly and brotherly disposition which the Synod of Missouri has shown toward us;

3. Resolved, that we endeavor to cultivate a closer acquaintance and a nearer union with the Missouri Synod;

4. Resolved, that to this end the Rev. Socrates Henkel be appointed delegate from this body to the eastern division of the Missouri Synod, which will be held at Baltimore