SALVATION: BAPTISMAL

REGENERATION OR GRACE
THROUGH FAITH ALONE?

By Bradley Leathers

EXPLORATORY NARRATIVE
Bones to Philosophy, but milke to faith Celebrating the
Trinity by Tersur Aben
-Source in favor of BAPTISMAL REGENERATION.
-Connectedness to the Trinity.
-Proofs baptism as part of salvation witnessed at Jesus baptism by
John.

Arminius on Justification: Reformed of Protestant? by John

Valero Fesko
-One of the first reformists that connected justification to faith
alone.
-Shows the divide between Roman Catholic Church and

EXPLORATORY NARRATIVE
Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
-Source in favor of FAITH ALONE.
-Shows connectedness of baptism to faith, but not for faith.

Believers Baptism by Thomas R. Schreiner & Shawn D.

Wright
-Thoroughly explains what salvation means, what baptism is, and
how the two are related but not dependent on one another.
-Provides many proof texts for faith-only salvation.
-Direct Greek translations.

Baptism and Acts 2:38 by Matt Slick

-Hermeneutics, Greek translations, historical context, book context,
purpose, audience.

MOCK INTERVIEW (MATT

SLICK)
Matt Slick is an ordained minister who holds a Masters of Divinity.

Stance: For the thesis (Salvation is through grace by

faith alone)

Article: Are we saved by faith alone, or do we need

works, too?
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFbwtWl2tks

MOCK INTERVIEW (MATT

SLICK)
Provides proof texts from Pauline books, including Galatians,
Ephesians, Romans, and Philippians.

Rom. 11:6, "But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the

basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Eph. 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift
of God. 9Not by works, lest any man should boast."
**The idea is that where baptism is mentioned, faith is always
accompanied. Where faith is mentioned, baptism is rarely seen.
The notion suggests baptism isnt necessary.

MOCK INTERVIEW (MATT

SLICK)
A few examples of questions:
Question 1: Aside from direct quotes from scripture, what are some
of your points as to why it is irrational to believe that works will
help you attain your salvation?
Question 2: What is your method for accurately interpreting
scripture?

MAP/OUTLINE
History
Brief history of Christianity and its split from Judaism.
Information on the Jewish Mikvah and its similarities and differences to the Christian
Baptism.
Overview of post-first century thinking on salvation, both for and against salvation
through works.
Early church fathers and their different views on salvation and how the reformation changed many
peoples ideas of it.

The current debacle in Christendom and its struggle with the clash between baptismal
regeneration and grace through faith alone.

Argument for Baptismal Regeneration

General overview of the thinking behind those who believe works are part of salvation,
not a result of salvation.
Proof texts that are said to prove the necessity for water baptism in salvation.
Arguments against faith-alone believers.

MAP/OUTLINE
Argument for salvation by grace through faith alone
Proof texts that are said to prove the necessity of faith only.
Rebuttals to the top most mistranslated bible verses in regard to baptism.
Hermeneutics
Historical background
Author background
Purpose

Arguments against baptismal regenerationists.

Reading into not out of.
Contradictive to other books of the bible that have clearer messages.
The problem with assuming a connectedness that is not there and the dangers of.

Closing
Brief recap of the history and both sides of the argument.
Emphasis on why faith-alone is the correct path to salvation.