As I stated in my previous post, I played for another church today. I sat in on Bible Class, as I played for both services and had to go somewhere in between. The class is studying parables and they wrapped up the parable of the Sower and moved on to the parable of the tares and wheat.
I found a couple of odd points in the discussion. The pastor asserted that the tares are the hypocrites, and the field is the church. I guess I always thought that the field is the world and the tares are unbelievers. Okay, I can live with this idea.
My question comes from the subsequent discussion. They were discussing hypocrites and the sacraments and the passage about eating and drinking to one's condemnation. Then the question turned to baptism. Someone asked if a hypocrite is baptized, is it a valid baptism? The point was made that this would have to be an adult convert in this hypothetical scenario. Both the pastor and the pastor emeritus said that they thought is would not be a valid baptism, and might possibly go so far to say that the person would need to be re-baptized when they turned from their hypocrisy to true faith.
Here is where I'd like to hear from you and/or your pastor. What do you think?
Are these two pastors correct? Is a hypocrite's baptism valid?
Homily for Cantate Monday at Matins (Isaiah 12)
11 hours ago
4 comments:
It is the Word of God that makes Baptism valid, not the faith of the person doing the Baptism nor the faith of the person receiving the baptism. Baptism creates faith. If a person is Baptized under false pretenses, they are "despising preaching and His Word", and the Law must be applied so that this person can be brought to repentance and receive holy absolution. We NEVER re-Baptize someone who has been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit--with the exception of someone who has been baptized by a church body which has a false understanding of the Trinity. However, in the case you described, re-Baptism would be unnecessary and would give a false impression of the power of Baptism.
A working definition of "hypocrite" is someone who says one thing and does another. At one time or another in each Christian's life, they are a hypocrite. It's impossible not to be when you hold yourself (and your Lord holds you) to such a high standard as the Law. Rather than re-Baptising, we rely on absolution.
revalkorn's comment is well put. I am not sure what the guys in the situation were thinking about to say that re-baptism would be necessary. The validity of Baptism, along with it's power is in the Word and dependent upon God not the one being baptized!
I "third" Pr. Alkorn's comments. In regards to Holy Baptism, who is doing the work here? All synergism is removed as it is God, through the work of His Holy Spirit who creates faith and gives the gifts of forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. Well said, revalkorn and revlittleelmer! Pax!
Thank you for your comments. I was thinking that something didn't sound right in that discussion, and I wanted to verify.
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