The following passage is taken 
"Though Wesley clearly taught that 'our Church supposes all who are baptized in their infancy are at the same time born again ' (S, 1:281), his emphasis in this sermon is elsewhere - not on what they once were, but on what they now are. 'How many are the baptized gluttons and drunkards, the baptized liars and common swearers, the baptized railers and evil-speakers, the baptized whoremongers, thieves, extortioners!' he asked. And even more pointedly Wesley concluded: if 'there is no new birth but in baptism [then this], is to seal you all under damnation, to consign you to hell, without any help, without hope' (O, 1:429)."
6 comments:
This is a point of contention I have with John Wesley. How exactly can sin away the grace uniquely given at baptism? Further, if we desire for our sin to be washed away in the same way it was at baptism, why doesn't it follow that we get re-baptized (I'm not suggesting that we do)?
Additionally, what does the early church have to say about this?
Three words: confession and absolution (and, which Wesley also taught, Holy Communion as a "converting ordinance")
Of course, those who are baptized as infants are normally raised in the faith.
The grace uniquely given at baptism (in question) is regenerational grace. Wesleyans do not believe in Calvin's perseverance of the saints (i.e., eternal security or "once saved always saved"). What Wesley is getting at is that one must own the covenant for oneself, and one must continue to live out the faith into which one was baptized. - I think the quote, itself, illustrates how one can sin away such baptismal grace (viz., by being gluttons, drunkards, liars, etc.).
And of course, we do not get re-baptized, because one can only truly be baptized once, seeing that it is an initiatory sacrament. God does not walk away, even though we may. If/when we do, we are called to confess and repent. - See the comment by "Anonymous."
Thank you for your comment!
Todd - Thanks for your fine thoughts. Just to follow-up concerning the re-baptism thoughts of some; that's where Holy Communion comes in. Holy Baptism is the (one-time) Sacrament of Initiation; Holy Communion is the (any-and-all-the-time) Sacrament of Continuation. Plenty of sanctifying, sustaining, and healing grace (etc.) is always available. Just get it from the Table at any and every opportunity.
Good word, Joe!
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