Sacramental Baptism vs. Circumcision

The Lutheran Position

"Baptism has taken the place of circumcision as an act establishing a covenant between God and the individual."

The Senior Confirmation Book, Jacob Tanner, Chap. 31, p. 137.

"We baptize infants for three biblical reasons.

In the first place, a newborn baby has the same sinful nature that a grown person has. It is a sinner that needs salvation.

In the second place, [a] baby needs to be born anew in order to become a member of the kingdom of heaven.

In the third place, the Holy Spirit through Baptism washes away sins, creates a new life, and saves."

The Senior Confirmation Book, Jacob Tanner, Chap. 33, p. 146.

"2. Benefits of Baptism
What gifts or benefits does Baptism bestow?
Answer: It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives everlasting salvation to all who believe..."

The Senior Confirmation Book, Jacob Tanner, Chap. 32, p. 141. 

"St. Paul writes to the Galatians: 'For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 'This means we are forgiven and thus children of God (Gal. 3:24-27).

Christians, therefore, need not flinch from saying forthrightly, 'Baptism saves...'

Consider the boldness of Luther's language:'Through Baptism [a person] is bathed in the blood of Christ and cleansed from sins.'

Baptism, therefore, is sheer Gospel.

Some Christians are deeply troubled by the emphasis on Baptism as solely God's work, and ask where is faith in all of this?

In [Luther's] day, some even advocated the rebaptism of people baptized as infants because they considered a human response (e.g., confession of faith) necessary for a valid Baptism ('Anabaptists' they were called). In response Luther summarized well the nub of the problem in these words: 'Everything depends upon the Word and commandment of God... For my faith does not constitute baptism but receives it. Baptism does not become invalid even if it is wrongly received or used, for it is bound not to our faith but to the Word."

The Lutheran Witness (Missouri Synod), Nov. 1995,
"Gods Work in Baptism," Jerald C. Joersz, pp. 13-14. 

"It is taught among us that Baptism is necessary and that grace is offered through it. Children, too, should be baptized, for in Baptism they are committed to God and become acceptable to Him.

On this account the Anabaptists who teach that infant baptism is not right are rejected."

Augsburg Confession, Article IX - Baptism

"When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried, therefore, with him by Baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his."

Funeral Service Bulletin, Messiah Lutheran Church, Fargo ND, Feb. 12, 1995.

The Reformed Position

"It is incontrovertible that baptism has been substituted for circumcision and performs the same office."

Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin, Vol. 2, p. 531.

"For it is his will that all who have believed, be baptized for the remission of sins. Hence those who have thought that baptism is nothing else than the badge and mark by which we profess our religion before men,... having not attended to what was the principle thing in baptism; and this is, that we are to receive it in connection with the promise, 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16).'"

Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin, Vol. 2, p. 513.

The Roman Catholic Position

"Jesus' circumcision... is the sign of his incorporation into Abraham's descendants, into the people of the covenant... This sign prefigures that 'circumcision of Christ' which is baptism."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 133, para. 527.

"Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed... The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 320, para. 1257. 

"By baptism all sins are forgiven, original sin and all personal sins, as well as all punishment for sin."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 321, para. 1263.

"Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians,... for men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in Baptism, [they] are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians..."

Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 323, para. 1271.