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The Doctrine of the Means of Grace - Page 5

© John L. Hoh, Jr.

The vein of differences goes through into the teachings on the sacraments. To the good Roman Catholic, the sacraments are good works and thus there are seven possible sacraments (though in practicality a Roman Catholic could only partake of six of them - marriage and ordination are mutually exclusive per Rome's current stand on married priests). The Reformed see no saving power in the sacrament and in fact will claim that they find no scriptural basis for the institution of these sacraments! First, however, we will look at Baptism in our preset order of Lutheran, Roman and Reformed beliefs.

Luther very clearly taught, as the Lutheran church teaches, the clear doctrine of baptism. We are well aware of Luther's explanation of baptism in his Small Catechism. 11 In his Large Catechism Luther states that the command to baptize is given to us in Matthew 19 and its benefits recorded for us in Mark 16.12 Luther defends his position on infant baptism which I will bring up in dealing with the Reformed teaching on this matter.

In the eyes of Rome the Sacrament of Baptism is a good work. If one is baptised and remains in the Church, one can then be saved. Faith is not given, but rather:
At Baptism we receive sanctifying grace, the theological or God-given virtues, and the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. In Baptism we also receive a lasting spiritual seal, called a character, which sets us apart as belonging to Jesus Christ. This is the character, or seal, of a Christian. (A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ.) 13
The fact that baptism is seen as a good work is seen in the treatise on baptism: When they grow up children are not free to reject the baptismal promises made for them by their sponsors 14. Again, this teaching is brought down to the present day by Tradition. Another teaching concerning baptism seeks to answer the question of what happens when one dies unbaptized:

Those who through no fault of their own have not received the sacrament of Baptism can be saved through what is called Baptism of Blood or Baptism of Desire.

What is Baptism of Blood?
Baptism of Blood is the reception of grace by an unbaptized person because he or she gives his or her life for love of Christ or a Christian virtue.

What is Baptism of Desire?
Baptism of Desire is the reception of grace because of perfect love of God and the desire to do His will. In other words, if the person knew of Baptism and were able to receive it, he would be baptized. 15

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