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…

16 I remembered the word of the Lord. We have sufficiently declared in the first chapter, that when Christ uttered that sentence, he did not make a comparison between two baptisms,¹ but that he intended to declare what difference there was between him and John. For as we distinguish the sign from his truth, so it is good to distinguish the minister from the author: least mortal man challenge that which is proper to God. Man hath the sign in his hand, it is Christ alone which washeth and regenerateth. For it skilleth much whether mens minds be directed in seeking the graces of God: because they shall not receive one drop without Christ. Therefore there is this general difference between Christ & all the ministers of the church, because they give the external sign of water: but he fulfilleth and performeth the effect of the sign by the power of his Spirit. The Readers were to be admonished of this thing again in this place: because many do falsely infer that Johns baptism & ours are not all one: whiles that Christ challenging to himself the spirit, doeth leave nothing for John save water alone.

16 I remembred the worde of the Lorde. Wee haue sufficiently declared in the first chapter, that when Christ vttered that sentence, hee did not make a comparison between two baptismes,¹ but that he intended to declare what difference there was betweene him and Iohn. For as wee distinguish the signe from his truth, so it is good to distinguish the minister from the authour: least mortall man challenge that which is proper to God. Man hath the signe in his hand, it is Christ alone which washeth and regenerateth. For it skilleth much whether mens mindes be directed in seeking the graces of God: because they shal not receiue one drop without Christ. Therfore there is this generall difference between Christ & all the ministers of the church, because they giue the externall signe of water: but he fulfilleth and perfourmeth the effect of the signe by the power of his Spirite. The Readers were to be admonished of this thing againe in this place: because many doe falsly inferre that Iohns baptisme & ours are not all one: whiles that Christ challenging to himselfe the spirite, doeth leaue nothing for Iohn saue water alone.

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