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…

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.

In calling upon the name of the Lord. It is out of question that he meaneth Christ, not because the name of Christ alone is called upon in baptism, but because the father commandeth us to ask of him whatsoever is figured in baptism: neither doth the operation of the Spirit tend to any other end saving that it may make us partakers of his death & resurrection: Therefore Christ is appointed to excel in baptism: yet in as much as he is given us of the father, and inasmuch as he poureth out his graces upon us by the holy Ghost. Whereby it cometh to pass that the calling upon the name of Christ, containeth both the Father and the Sonne.