God's Word is Creative

I received an email today from a brother in Christ who has been through Calvinistic theology such as all the authors on this blog have and is currently looking into Lutheranism. In the email, he raises what I perceive as a very common question from people who are new to Lutheran theology. Here is the question:

"So, a guy becomes a Christian at some point in his life. Let's say he was 22, like me. There is a moment in time where he hears the Word of the Gospel and it creates faith in him. Soon after, he goes and gets baptized. 

I always thought that the moment where faith was created by the Word was "regeneration" (maybe my Reformed theology is showing). But from my reading and conversation with my Lutheran pastor friend, it seems the Lutheran view says regeneration happens via baptism. Are we both using the same term but in different ways? In what way is Baptism the means of "regeneration", then? Does the Lutheran view incorporate the fact that people are "born again" (have faith created in them) prior to being baptized? How does that work, since I thought faith was only the language of the "new man"?" ~Tim

 

First of all, thanks Tim, for the question. I hope I can give an adequate response to what you are struggling with in your mind here. I think this is a common question that arises when people start digging into Lutheranism. I know I raised this one myself in some way, shape, or form.

First, let's go to the Scriptures and find all of the times the word "regeneration" is found. I can only find two.

St. Matthew 19:28: Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Titus 3:5: he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit

The same Greek word is used in St. Matthew 19:28 as is used in Titus 3:5 for "regeneration." It's translated as "new world." Other translations say "in the regeneration" there.

I think it's pretty clear in Titus 3:5 that it's referring to baptism, unless you want to spiritualize that passage to a great degree. The washing in Christianity takes place in baptism. I think that is plain just from reading the Scriptures.

Likewise, Titus 3:5 is a close parallel to St. John 3:5. If we look at the text there, it says:

St. John 3:5: Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

So, Jesus says the phrase "...born of water and the Spirit." Sort of sounds like "...washing of regeneration."

So, it's pretty obvious that Scripture links regeneration to washing and being born from above to water. But all of this really doesn't get to your question. Let me first say this: I have no doubt that you were born again by the preached Word creating faith in you and then were baptised later. I happen to believe that occurs quite a bit.

If we are talking about a one moment in time where a person is granted faith by the Spirit as "regeneration" (you're right, this is a very common usage for this word), then I will make the assertion on Scriptural grounds that it is God's Word alone that creates faith and births a person anew.

Ah, but here is where we get into the means of grace. It certainly can't be just by audible preaching, because then numerous people are pretty clearly excluded. As Lutherans we affirm that the Word alone creates faith. Yet, this Word comes to us through natural means that God has chosen as His means of distributing that Word. These means are light waves, sound waves, water, bread, and wine. Sound different? This is simply to say the written and preached Word is a means of grace and thus creates faith. But, so are baptism and the Eucharist.

This is simply to say that the Word is given to us via preaching, baptism, and Supper. So, when we say baptism saves, we don't mean that a water ritual saves or that the water saves us any more than the sound waves carrying the preacher's voice save us. We mean that the Word of God in the water saves, because that's where God says He will be.

We can also use the term "regeneration" in a broader sense to mean any time grace is given that gives us faith, whether that be initial faith or greater faith when we are already a Christian. We can then also say that baptism regenerates and saves us post-conversion by strengthening our faith. The Apostles prayed this in St. Luke 17:5: Lord, strengthen our faith!

We also can look at examples such as the thief on the cross. Many of our Baptist brethren love to use the thief on the cross as an example that baptism doesn't save. But this is flat out poor logic. Baptism saves, and it is the normal and necessary means of ushering people into the Kingdom. But yet, people are saved without baptism sometimes, and this in no way means that baptism does not save. It's the rejection or spurning of baptism that is condemning.

Finally, we can also look at the objectivity of baptism. The preached Word is objective, but not as personally objective as baptism. Therefore, to look to your baptism as the place where you are saved is to look to the point in time where Christ is given personally and objectively to you. This is where Christ's work is given to you and you are raised in faith (Col 2:12). The Name of the Trinue God is placed on you. You are baptised into Christ.

So, are people saved before baptism? Yep, it happens a lot. But baptism is necessary and is the normal means by which Christ's bride is saved. Faith is given in it, just like it is in the preaching of the Word.

You might also be interested in a blog I did about a month ago that shows the folly of saying that faith alone violates baptismal regeneration. You can find it here:

Faith Alone and Baptism

Excellent question, and one that many people coming to Lutheranism or learning about it have asked. I also encourage you to watch the numerous Worldview Everlasting videos Pr. Jonathan Fisk has done regarding baptism. The one below is a good one, but there are many more.