Tag Archives: Infant baptism

Martin Luther on Immersion

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Martin Luther on Immersion by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at 8:43am A RECENT QUESTION: Was Martin Luther himself immersed? The question came up at church yesterday in a discussion about Martin Luther’s high view of baptism. MY REPLY: I do not know the answer to your question. I do know that Luther strongly defended the practice of immersion. E.g., in his treatise, “The Babylonian Captivity of the Church,” printed in “Three Treatises” (Fortress 1960), he says, “The second part of baptism is the sign, or sacrament, which is that immersion in water from which it derives … Continue reading →

More on Baptism in the Name of Jesus Only

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More on Baptism in the Name of Jesus Only by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Monday, September 7, 2009 at 4:24pm This is a follow-up to my earlier note on “Baptism in the Name of Jesus Only.” One of the comments that followed that note was by Tom Lawson; see that note for its content. Then another comment was added by Titus Chapman, as follows: “tom its not as clear to me maybe you can explain it to me. I have not found anyone who can use other scriptures or examples for bapt ecpt mt 28 19 to explain why it … Continue reading →

What about Rebaptism?

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What about Rebaptism? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 7:02pm THE QUESTION OF REBAPTISM On Aug. 26 I received the following query about whether a “rebaptism” would be advisable in the questioner’s case. I thought my response might be of interest. (I have the writer’s permission to use this.) QUESTIONER’S QUERY. I would like to go over some basic background information that may help you better understand my dilemma. I was raised in a home where there was no strict doctrine. Though my mother had grown up in church, our family did not regularly attend for … Continue reading →

Another question about baptism

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Another question about baptism by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, August 13, 2009 at 7:51pm Someone asked another question about baptism: “What about someone baptizing you that is not a Christian? Or they call themselves a Christian, but they are living in the world everyday but Sunday?” Here is my brief answer: Thanks for the question. My understanding is that baptism is an encounter between the baptized person and God. The baptizer is merely an instrument. There is no power in the baptizer; the baptizer lends no authenticity to the baptism. If the person being baptized is trusting to meet … Continue reading →

SOME THOUGHTS ON 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 – 7:1

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SOME THOUGHTS ON 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 – 7:1 by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 8:58pm Recently a friend wrote me asking about the meaning of 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1. This was my reply: The background for this text is God’s permanent standard and rule that his people should always remain distinct from the world, which is “the domain of darkness,” Col. 1:13. God applied this principle to Israel under the Old Covenant by separating them geographically from the world; this is why he gave them the “promised land,” the land of Canaan. He commanded them to be … Continue reading →