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…

For when as these titles are attributed unto baptism, namely, that it is the laver of regeneration, a washing away of sins, the fellowship of death,¹ and burying with Christ, and a grafting into the body of Christ: it is not declared what man, being the Minister of the outward sign doth; but rather what Christ doeth, who only giveth force and efficacy unto the signs. We must always hold fast this distinction, least whiles we deck man too much, we take from Christ. But here may a question be moved why he doeth rather name John here, than any other. Firsts, it is manifest enough that John did profess himself to be the minister of the outward sign, namely, of water, and that Christ was the author of the spiritual baptism. Secondly because it was meet that John should decrease, and Christ increase. And thirdly because the Apostles did so much esteem of John,² it might have been that thereby the glory of Christ might have been obscured. Therefore Christ to the end he might reclaim them to himself, telleth them that John did only minister unto them the external baptism: notwithstanding he confirmeth them also, least they should doubt of the promise.

For when as these titles are attributed vnto baptisme, namely, that it is the lauer of regeneration, a washing away of sinnes, the fellowshippe of death,¹ and burying with Christ, and a graffing into the bodie of Christ: it is not declared what man, being the Minister of the outward signe doth; but rather what Christ doeth, who onely giueth force and efficacie vnto the signes. We must alwayes hold fast this distinction, least whiles we decke man too much, we take from Christ. But here may a question be moued why he doeth rather name Iohn here, than any other. Firsts, it is manifest ynough that Iohn did professe himselfe to bee the minister of the outwarde signe, namely, of water, and that Christ was the author of the spirituall baptisme. Secondly because it was meete that Iohn shoulde decrease, and Christ increase. And thirdlie because the Apostles did so much esteeme of Iohn,² it might haue beene that thereby the glorie of Christ might haue beene obscured. Therefore Christ to the ende hee might reclaime them to himselfe, telleth them that Iohn did onelie minister vnto them the externall baptisme: notwithstanding hee confirmeth them also, least they should doubt of the promise.