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…

In the name of Christ. Although Baptism be no vain figure, but a true and effectual testimony: notwithstanding least any man attribute that unto the element of water which is there offered, the name of Christ is plainly expressed, to the end we may know that it shall be a profitable sign for us then, if we seek the force and effect thereof in Christ: and know that we are therefore washed in baptism, because the blood of Christ is our washing. And we do also hereby gather, that Christ is the mark and end whereunto baptism directeth us. Wherefore every one profiteth so much in baptism, as he learneth to look unto Christ. But here ariseth a question: Whether it were lawful for Peter to change the form prescribed by Christ? The Papists do think, at least feign so, and thence do they take a colour of liberty, to change or abrogate the institutions of Christ. They confess that nothing ought to be changed, as touching the substance: but they will have the Church to have liberty to change whatsoever it will in the form. But this argument may easily be answered. For we must first know that Christ did not indite and rehearse unto his Apostles magical words for enchanting, as the Papists do dream: but he did in few words comprehend the sum of the mystery. Again, I deny that Peter doth speak in this place of the form of baptism: but he doeth simply declare that the whole strength of Baptism is contained in Christ. Although Christ can not be laid hold on by faith without the Father, by whom he was given us, and the Spirit, by the which he reneweth and sanctifieth us. The answer consisteth wholly in this, that he entreateth not in this place of the certain form of baptising, but the faithful are called back unto Christ, in whom alone we have whatsoever baptism doth prefigure unto us. For we are both made clean by his blood, and also we enter into a new life by the benefit of his death and resurrection.

In the name of Christ. Although Baptisme bee no vaine figure, but a true and effectuall testimonie: notwithstanding least any man attribute that vnto the element of water which is there offered, the name of Christ is plainly expressed, to the end we may know that it shalbe a profitable signe for vs then, if we seeke the force and effect therof in Christ: and know that we are therefore washed in baptisme, because the bloode of Christ is our washing. And we doe also hereby gather, that Christ is the marke and end whereunto baptisme directeth vs. Wherefore euery one profiteth so much in baptisme, as he learneth to looke vnto Christ. But heere ariseth a question: Whether it were lawfull for Peter to change the forme prescribed by Christ? The Papists do thinke, at least feigne so, and thence do they take a colour of libertie, to chaunge or abrogate the institutions of Christ. They confesse that nothing ought to be chaunged, as touching the substance: but they will haue the Church to haue libertie to chaunge whatsoeuer it will in the forme. But this argument may easily be answered. For we must first know that Christ did not indite and rehearse vnto his Apostles magicall words for inchaunting, as the Papists do dreame: but he did in fewe wordes comprehend the summe of the mysterie. Againe, I denie that Peter doth speak in this place of the forme of baptisme: but hee doeth simplie declare that the whole strength of Baptisme is contained in Christ. Although Christ can not be laid hold on by faith without the Father, by whom hee was giuen vs, and the Spirit, by the which he reneweth and sanctifieth vs. The answere consisteth wholly in this, that hee intreateth not in this place of the certaine forme of baptising, but the faithfull are called backe vnto Christ, in whom alone we haue whatsoeuer baptisme doth prefigure vnto vs. For we are both made cleane by his blood, and also we enter into a new life by the benefite of his death and resurrection.