Faith vs Repetitive Sin in Unbaptized Christians
The relationship between faith and repetitive sin in unbaptized Christians is a contested topic across Christian traditions. At its core, the debate revolves around the understanding of baptism, faith, and the Christian life.
Understanding Baptism and Faith
Baptism is seen as a crucial step in the Christian life, symbolizing faith in Christ and initiation into the Christian community [1, 2]. According to John Calvin, baptism is a sign of regeneration and a means by which believers are grafted into the Church [5, 11]. However, the question arises as to whether unbaptized individuals can genuinely be Christians if they continue to sin.
Position 1: Reformed Perspective
From a Reformed perspective, faith is considered the fundamental aspect of the Christian life. Charles Hodge argues that faith is not merely an intellectual assent but an inward experience that involves trust in God's promises [7]. According to this view, baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant between God and the believer, but it is not a prerequisite for salvation. John Calvin emphasizes that faith is the primary means by which sinners are justified and reconciled to God [10]. Therefore, an unbaptized person can be considered a Christian if they have genuine faith, despite continuing to struggle with sin.
Position 2: Catholic Perspective
The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, places a strong emphasis on the sacrament of baptism as necessary for salvation. According to Aquinas, baptism is required for the remission of sins, and those who are baptized are expected to live a life of repentance and obedience to God's commandments [6]. While acknowledging that faith is essential, the Catholic view holds that baptism is a crucial step in the process of salvation, and those who are unbaptized, even if they have faith, are not fully incorporated into the Christian community.
Position 3: Eastern Orthodox Perspective
The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John of Damascus, also emphasizes the importance of baptism in the Christian life. According to John of Damascus, baptism is a sacrament that declares the Lord's death and is necessary for the remission of sins [8]. The Orthodox view holds that baptism is a means of spiritual rebirth and is essential for participation in the life of the Church.
Shared Ground
Despite these differences, all three positions agree that faith is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. They also concur that baptism is an important symbol of faith and initiation into the Christian community. The biblical passages that underlie these discussions include Jesus' teachings on faith and baptism (Matthew 28:19), Paul's writings on baptism and the Christian life (Romans 6:3-4), and the Johannine literature on faith and sin (1 John 3:6, 9) [4, 9, 3].
Divergence in Traditions
The divergence in traditions stems from differing hermeneutical commitments and prior doctrinal premises. The Reformed tradition emphasizes the role of faith in justification, while the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions stress the importance of sacraments, particularly baptism, in the process of salvation. These differences reflect fundamental aspects of their theological frameworks and understandings of the Christian life.
The complexities surrounding faith, sin, and baptism in the Christian life underscore the ongoing debates across Christian traditions. While there is agreement on the importance of faith and baptism, the nuances of their relationship to salvation and the Christian life remain a subject of theological discussion.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Baptism — As administered by John -- Mt 3:5-12; Joh 3:23; Ac 13:24; 19:4. Sanctioned by Christ's submission to it -- Mt 3:13-15; Lu 3:21. Adopted by Christ -- Joh 3:22; 4:1,2. Appointed an ordinance of the Christian church -- Mt 28:19,20; Mr 16:15,16. To be administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- Mt 28:19. Water, the outward and visible sign in -- Ac 8:36; 10:47. Regeneration, the inward and spiritual grace of -- Joh 3:3,5,6; Ro 6:3,4,11. Remission of sins, signified by -- Ac 2:38; 22:16. Unity of the Church effected by -- 1Co 12:13; Ga 3:27,2”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Baptism — It is well known that ablution or bathing was common in most ancient nations as a preparation for prayers and sacrifice or as expiatory of sin. In warm countries this connection is probably even closer than in colder climates; and hence the frequency of ablution in the religious rites throughout the East. Baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is the rite or ordinance by which persons are admitted into the Church of Christ. It is the public profession of faith and discipleship. Baptism signifies-- + A confession of faith in Christ; + A cleansi”
- 1 John “Whoever remains in him doesn’t sin. Whoever sins hasn’t seen him, neither knows him. -- 1 John 3:6”
- Matthew “I indeed baptize you in water for repentance, but he who comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit. -- Matthew 3:11”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 98: he enumerates among his members, are to be baptised, in order that they may not be dissevered from his body. See the violent onset which they make with all their engines on the bulwarks of our faith. 23. They now come down to the custom and practice of the apostolic age, alleging that there is no instance of any one having been admitted to baptism without a previous profession of faith and repentance. For when Peter is asked by his hearers, who were pricked in their heart, “What shall we do?” his advise is, “Repent and be baptised,”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of Those Who Receive Baptism, Art. 6: Article: Whether sinners who are going to be baptized are bound to confess their sins? I answer that, Confession of sins is twofold. One is made inwardly to God: and such confession of sins is required before Baptism: in other words, man should call his sins to mind and sorrow for them; since "he cannot begin the new life, except he repent of his former life," as Augustine says in his book on Penance (Serm. cccli). The other is the outward confession of sins, which is made to a priest; and such confessio”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 11: of research or argument, but of inward experience. The change may, and often does, take place in a moment. The faith of a Christian in the Bible is, as before remarked, analogous to that which all men have in the moral law, which they recognize not only as truth, but as having the authority of God. What the natural man perceives with regard to the moral law the renewed man is enabled to perceive in regard to “the things of the Spirit,” by the testimony of that Spirit with and by the truth to his heart. Proof from Express Declarations of S”
- CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 85: Chapter IX .— Concerning Faith and Baptism. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins and for life eternal. For baptism declares the Lord’s death. We are indeed “buried with the Lord through baptism 2288 2288 Col. ii. 12 . ,” as saith the divine Apostle. So then, as our Lord died once for all, we also must be baptized once for all, and baptized according to the Word of the Lord, In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit 2289 2289 St. Matt. xxviii. 19 . , being taught the confession in Father”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 6:3: Know ye not that so many of us as, You must know this, you cannot be ignorant of it, that whoever were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death: and therefore must be dead to sin, and consequently ought not to live, nor can they live in sin. This does not suppose, that some of this church were baptized persons, and others not; but that some might be baptized in water who were not baptized into Christ: there is a difference between being baptized in water in the name of Christ, and being baptized into Christ, which believers in their baptism are; by wh”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 66: and destitute of good works. He, therefore, seeks the cause of kindness in himself, that thus he may affect the sinner by a sense of his goodness, and induce him, in distrust of his own works, to cast himself entirely upon his mercy for salvation. This is the meaning of faith by which the sinner comes into the possession of salvation, when, according to the doctrine of the Gospel, he perceives that he is reconciled by God; when, by the intercession of Christ, he obtains the pardon of his sins, and is justified; and, though renewed ”
- Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), Section 269: Baptism is not only a sign of profession, and mark of difference, whereby Christian men are discerned from others that be not christened, but it is also a sign of Regeneration or new Birth, whereby, as by an instrument, they that receive Baptism rightly are grafted into the Church; the promises of forgiveness of sin, and of our adoption to be the sons of God by the Holy Ghost, are visibly signed and sealed; Faith is confirmed, and Grace increased by virtue of prayer unto God. The Baptism of young Children is in any wise to be reta”