Passages from Luther suggesting he thought the Baptism should be universal (indiscriminate) because the New Covenant included all:
If [inclusion in the kingdom, justification] was brought about with the Jews in the Old Testament through the medium of circumcision, why would God not do the same thing with the Gentiles through the medium of the new covenant (novo pacto) of baptism? The command pertains to all (praeceptum universale est): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them …" Hence whereas circumcision was commanded only to the descendants of Abraham, baptism is commanded to all the nations, with the promise of salvation if they believe.
(WA 42,622,19-25 = LW3,104 on Gen 17:3-6 cited in Baptism in the Theology of Martin Luther By Jonathan D. Trigg, p.105)
Our baptism, thus, is a strong and sure foundation, affirming that God has made a covenant with all the world to be a God of the heathen in all the world, as the gospel says. Also that Christ has commanded the gospel to be preached in all the world, as also the prophets have declared in many ways. As a sign of this covenant he has insituted baptism, commanded and enjoined upon all heathen, as Matt. declares: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father," etc.
(Martin Luther, pp. 257-258, Concerning Rebaptism in Martin Luther's Basic Theological Writings)
No comments:
Post a Comment