Sometimes individuals, churches, and denominations hold to a mistaken view of what the Bible teaches based on a string of favorite proof-texts. Those who believe in baptismal regeneration or baptismal remission of sins frequently point to Titus 3:5,
Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (KJV)
Tit 3:5 he saved us, but not because of anything we had done to gain his approval. Instead, because of his mercy he saved us through the washing in which the Holy Spirit gives us new birth and renewal. (GW, God’s Word translation)
Tit 3:5 He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)
Tit 3:5 he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, (NET Bible)
This passage is hardly a reference to ritual water baptism. If it were a reference to water baptism, this would be a contradiction to what Paul stated at the beginning of the sentence, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.”
There is no reference in context to a human administrator of water baptism.
This, then, is another reference to “real baptism,” which is accomplished by the Holy Spirit when we believe on and trust in our Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
Notice, once again (see John 3:5 for another instance), that two things are here joined by “and”: “washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” This is another example of the Figure of Speech Hendiadys, where two words or things are mentioned but only one thing is meant. Thus, the “washing of regeneration, even renewing of the Holy Ghost” are one thing, the same thing, not two things.
The reference is to the spiritual cleansing by the Holy Spirit in real baptism as opposed to ritual water baptism which has no such efficacy, the regeneration and renewing which the Holy Spirit accomplishes in creating in us the new nature in Christ.
hello jerry i like john 1.12-13 But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,even to them that believe on his name, vs13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. when i first heard the gospel my friend read these
verses to us. thank you ken
I just discovered this today. I was looking for something to write about!
“If it were a reference to water baptism, this would be a contradiction to what Paul stated at the beginning of the sentence, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.” ”
Paul (like Jesus Himself) has no problem whatever with tying works, — soaked in grace and allied with faith –, into salvation itself. He does this many times:
Romans 1:17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”
Romans 2:6-7 For he will render to every man according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; (cf. 2:8; 2:10)
Romans 2:13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
Romans 15:17-18 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has wrought through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed,
1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (cf. 3:8; Mk 16:20)
2 Corinthians 6:1 Working together with him, then, we entreat you not to accept the grace of God in vain.
2 Corinthians 8:6-7 Accordingly we have urged Titus that as he had already made a beginning, he should also complete among you this gracious work. [7] Now as you excel in everything — in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in your love for us — see that you excel in this gracious work also.
Galatians 5:6-7 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any avail, but faith working through love. [7] You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?
Galatians 6:7-9 Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption; but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not lose heart.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:7-12 . . . when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at in all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his call, and may fulfil every good resolve and work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 6:18-19 They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed.
Titus 1:16 They profess to know God, but they deny him by their deeds; they are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good deed.
Titus 3:8 The saying is sure. I desire you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to apply themselves to good deeds; these are excellent and profitable to men.
Titus 3:14 And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.
I’m glad you found this, Dave! I’ve been studying the subject a bit further before I jump in too deep into a debate.
Dave, I am sure you are well aware of the Bible teaching about salvation. We are not saved by our works, but by our faith. If we have genuine faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are saved by that faith. The Holy Spirit then produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) in our lives which display works of righteousness as the result of our faith. You know well what is stated in Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 3:5 among many other Bible passages relevant to this great Bible theme.
Yes, I am well acquainted with the biblical view on salvation. We’re saved by grace through faith, and faith without works is dead, so it automatically includes works: which cannot be abstractly separated from it. The Bible repeatedly states that works play an important role in the overall equation. I have collected 50 passages that teach precisely that:
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2015/10/final-judgment-works-not-faith-50-passages.html
The passage of the rich young ruler encapsulates biblical soteriology perfectly:
Luke 18:18 (RSV) And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
This is exactly on point. How is one saved? So Jesus replied, “have faith in Me alone” right? Wrong. Here is what He said: “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'” (Lk 18:20). Nothing about faith at all! How can that be?
Luke 18:21-22 And he said, “All these I have observed from my youth.” [22] And when Jesus heard it, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. . . .
So clearly if Jesus was a good Protestant, here was the golden opportunity to inform the rich young ruler and all of the many millions who would read this passage in Scripture how faith alone is the exclusive way to salvation. And so He said:
“Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Hmmm: a work is the requirement for him to be saved and attain eternal life. Doesn’t fit very well with Protestant soteriology, does it? Jesus wouldn’t have made it through seminary. He didn’t know how to do the slogans correctly, or how to effectively witness . . .
In Matthew 19:17 Jesus is even more explicit: “If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”
I should expand the biblical formula for salvation (since we are debating baptismal regeneration) to the following more precise wording:
We’re saved by grace alone (which is largely, though not exclusively, conveyed by sacraments) through faith (which without works is dead, so that it automatically includes works and cannot be abstractly separated from them).
I’ve collected all my replies in these threads for a second debate blog paper:
Debate: Baptism & Salvation (vs. Jerry Smith), Pt. 2
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2022/02/debate-baptism-salvation-vs-jerry-smith-pt-2.html
Thank you, Dave! I see you have been up late and working hard.
These posts of mine are just my trial runs as I dig further into the issues that pertain to baptism. You may remember that my former in-depth personal Bible study regarding baptism had mainly to do with the Scriptural mode of Christian baptism. This is new territory for me, dealing with the error of baptismal regeneration or baptismal regeneration. But I am working on it diligently now.
Matthew 19:17 is a most interesting passage. Time is getting away from me just now, but perhaps I will have time by tomorrow (Friday, 2-25-22) to get back to you on this one.
I’m surprised any major doctrine in the Bible is “new territory” for you! 🙂
We disagree on this one, of course, but it’s a pleasure to interact with someone who loves the Bible so much.
Dear Dave,
This is “new territory” for me because it has been many years (1974) since I made a careful study of the doctrine of baptismal regeneration.
That was the year I attended an interesting and lively debate between Dr. Albert Garner (I think he was president of the Florida Baptist Bible College at the time) and a Church of Christ pastor in Gainesville, Florida.
Dr. Carl George had asked me to teach the college and career age Sunday school class at his University Baptist Church in Gainesville. My students reported to me that they were having some difficulty at the University of Florida because the local Church of Christ pastor or the associate pastor was visiting the dormitories where they stayed. They said that the Church of Christ representatives were engaged in what I would call “sheep stealing.” That is, the Church of Christ was finding out who the new converts to Christ were and taking them over by teaching their particular doctrines (baptismal regeneration in particular!), and my students wanted help in answering these issues.
Pastor George had warned me not to be disappointed when the college spring semester ended because there would be a fall-off in attendance to my class as the students left campus to return to their homes for the summer.
It turned out that my class just kept growing and never did fall-off in attendance.
I presented a series of lessons clarifying what the actual Bible teaching is on these matters.
One Sunday I was visited by some officials from the denomination headquarters while I was teaching this series. They reported to Pastor George that they believed the teaching I presented was the best they had ever heard on the subject.
So now I am reacquainting myself with this subject, not having had much need for digging deeply into the subject again since then–until now!
Dear Dave,
You brought up a most interesting passage, Matthew 19:17, in a comment above.
Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
I placed the following note on this passage in my newest Bible study tool, The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:
but if. FS184A, +1Co 15:2, Note,—The Lord answers this inquirer according to the terms of the Legal Dispensation, which had not yet expired, and under which, as a Jew, he was: with a view to vindicating the requirements of the law, preparatory to the announcement of the grace of the gospel; to the faith and privileges of which, however, he afterwards invites him in the words Come and follow me, Mat 19:21 :—whence also the difference between this answer and that given by the apostles to the same question, in the case of the Philippian Jailer, Act 16:31,—he being a Gentile, and the New Testament dispensation having been opened. So in the other instance recorded, Luk 10:25, the Lord answers according to the Law, but yet (as in this instance) in such a way as to convince of sin by it, and so lead from it. See the references (De Burgh, p. 91). +Lev 18:5, Neh 9:29, Eze 20:11, 12, 13; Eze 20:21, Luk 10:25, 26, 27, 28, Rom 2:13; Rom 10:5, Gal 3:10, 11, 12, 13; Gal 3:19, 20, 21, 22, 23 24, 25.
Notice the reference to Leviticus 18:5,
Lev 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
This must be contrasted with Genesis 15:6,
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Both of these passages (Leviticus 18:5 and Genesis 15:6) are cited in the New Testament a number of times.
Paul tells us that the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ:
Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
It is plain that if “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith,” then, as Paul teaches, “But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Thus, we conclude with Paul, being justified by faith, we are no longer under the law.
Therefore, any properly informed Jew or properly taught Gentile would know from Scripture itself that salvation is by faith alone, apart from the works of the law. Remember how often Jesus asked his hearers, “have ye not read?”
That does not mean that because we placed our faith in Jesus Christ for our salvation that we are free to become lawless. Rather, as Paul clearly and carefully teaches,
Gal 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Notice that Paul explicitly declares that if we are led of the Spirit, we are not under the law.
Paul further teaches that those who are genuinely saved by faith also produce the fruit of the Spirit, “against such there is no law,”
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
So if we are not under the law, we surely are not saved by obedience to the law. This would be “another Gospel” (Gal 1:6, 7), contrary to what Paul (and the Bible as a whole) taught, and is anathema!
Lev 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
Leviticus 18:5 teaches one of the two ways we can be saved: if we keep the law perfectly, we can be saved. But no one except our Lord Jesus Christ has perfectly kept the law. So, according to the central emphatic point of the book of James (as seen in its literary structure–the whole book of James is one great chiasmus, and the central member of the chiasm is James 2:10), anyone who claims to have kept the law, and yet offends in one point, is guilty of all:
Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
No one, therefore, will ever be saved on the basis of obedience to the law.
The second means of salvation declared in Scripture is justification by faith:
Gen 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
This promise given to Abraham in the Abrahamic Covenant has been extended to us all as the only means of our salvation as explained in detail by the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 4. Notice the obvious: this promise was given before the institution of the Mosaic law and therefore has precedence over it.
Now when James declares that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26), he is not contradicting himself and neither is he contradicting the Apostle Paul. If you see a contradiction, you are obviously misreading the text of Scripture.
James had just told us earlier in his letter (James 1:18) that we have been begotten by the word of truth:
Jas 1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
He also speaks of the “engrafted word, which is able to save your souls,”
Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Therefore, James is speaking of the fact that genuine faith in our Lord Jesus Christ transforms our nature and produces the fruit of the Spirit–the good works that are seen by men as the outcome of our genuine faith.
I can’t get involved in a full-scale discussion on soteriology. I’ve written scores of articles on it:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2006/11/salvation-justification-faith-alone.html
Dear Dave,
Thank you for your soteriology link. I read just a little of what you have posted there.
Nevertheless, though you have written extensively on the subject there, you brought up that topic here by the Scripture passages to which you made reference.
I trust you did carefully read my post here explaining Leviticus 18:5 and Genesis 15:6.
I believe that the scholar I cited (De Burgh, p. 91) in my UCRT note on Matthew 19:17 pretty well settles the issue.
You did not respond to my actual argument regarding the two methods of salvation specified in the Old Testament which I drew from a plain and straightforward reading of the Bible itself.