Baptismal Grace
Definition
A softened form of Pelagianism holding that the grace of the Holy Spirit as a special power is necessary, but only for establishing the convert in faith and virtue — not for remaining in faith until the end of life or for maintaining and recovering the baptismal life; some held it unnecessary even for conversion. Condemned by canons 125 and 126 of the Council of Carthage.
Episodes
Related Concepts
Biblical References
- 1 Cor. 3:9 — *We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God’s field, God’s building. *
- Acts 7:51 — “You stubborn people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, like your ancestors did!
- Hebrews 3:7-8 — Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Oh, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness.
- John 15:5 — *“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. *
- Rom. 10:9-10 — because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one
- Eph. 2:8 — *For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; *