The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

but there is an inferior instrument and that is the preaching of the word & baptism it self. But though God alone doth work by the inward power of his Spirit, yet that doth not hinder, but that he may use at his pleasure such instruments and means as he knoweth to be convenient, not that he includeth in the element any thing which he taketh either from his spirit or from the blood of Christ, but because he will have the sign it self to be an help for our infirmity.

but ther is an inferiour instrument and that is the preaching of the word & baptisme it self. But though God alone doth worke by the inward power of his Spirite, yet that doth not hinder, but that he may vse at his pleasure such instruments and meanes as he knoweth to be conuenient, not that he includeth in the element any thing which he taketh either from his spirite or from the blood of Christ, but because he will haue the signe it selfe to be an helpe for our infirmitie.

Therefore forasmuch as Baptism doth help our faith that it may reap forgiveness of sins by the blood of Christ alone, it is called the washing of the soul. So that the washing spoken of by Luke, doeth not note out the cause: but is referred unto the understanding of Paul, who having received the sign, knew better that his sins were done away. Though we must also note this, that there is no bare figure set before us in Baptism, but that the giving of the thing is thereto annexed: because God promiseth nothing deceitfully, but doth indeed fulfil that which under the signs he doth signify Notwithstanding we must again beware that we tie not the grace of God to the sacraments, for the external administration of baptism profiteth nothing, save only where it pleaseth God it shall. By this there is also an other question answered which may be moved. For seeing Paul had the testimony of the grace of god, his sins were already forgiven him. Therefore he was not washed only by baptism, but he received a new confirmation of the grace which he had gotten.

Therefore forasmuch as Baptisme doth helpe our faith that it may reape forgiuenesse of sinnes by the blood of Christ alone, it is called the washing of the soule. So that the washing spoken of by Luke, doeth not note out the cause: but is referred vnto the vnderstanding of Paul, who hauing receiued the signe, knew better that his sinnes were done away. Though we must also note this, that there is no bare figure set before vs in Baptisme, but that the giuing of the thing is therto annexed: because God promiseth nothing deceitfully, but doth indeed fulfill that whiche vnder the signes he doth signifie Notwithanding we must again beware that we tie not the grace of God to the sacraments, for the external administration of baptisme profiteth nothing, saue only where it pleaseth God it shall. By this there is also an other question aunsweared which may be moued. For seeing Paul had the testimonie of the grace of god, his sinnes were alreadie forgiuen him. Therfore he was not washed onlie by baptisme, but he receiued a new confirmation of the grace which he had gotten.