The concept of Baptism: comparison of the theology of Martin Luther and John Calvin

Abstract

One of the important bible teachings, is been born again as express by bible scholars as baptism, form the framework of this research. Before the Reformation, scholars expressed divergent views to resolve the controversy over the type of baptism found in the scriptures and the forms practised by Christians. Martin Luther and John Calvin expressed opinion about the system of baptism which needed consideration in the Church. The study attempts explicitly to review the main facets of the theology of Luther and Calvin concerning baptism. The purpose of the study is to compare and contrast the two reformers view and examine the extent to which their theology has a vital role in the theological enterprises and the Christian Church as a whole.Theologically, the words of Jesus have revealed the importance of baptism during the dialogue between Him and Nicodemus “truly, I am saying to you until one is baptize of water and spirit, the one would not be able to go to God’s Kingdom.(John.3:5)The new birth of water and spirit in the quotation is a symbol of baptism. This paves the way for baptism’s essence an initiation into the church and the righteous way to the Kingdom of God. Given this, correct rendition about the words of Jesus should be that, no one could go to heaven without baptism. Thus, the right biblical concept of baptism is fixed