CHAPTER IV
Pagan Babylon and Not the Bible Is the True Source of Baptismal Regeneration
Ancient ritual from the days of Babylon showing how
infants were baptized, given in full-B. R. is the real power of Rome's Hagar system of
works.-A Hagar-born membership indispensable to the existence of Rome.-Lutheran church
builds on virtually same foundation as that of Rome.-B. R. is a bewhiskered old doctrine
of demons.
Professor of Church History, W. J.
McGlothlin, D.D., LL.D., in his book on Infant Baptism says: "The view that baptism
regenerates is Pagan in origin, and came directly from Paganism into Christianity."
True Source of Baptismal Regeneration
No reference to Baptismal Regeneration is found
in the Old Testament from Genesis to Malachi. As to the historical evidence for the
authorization of even Infant Baptism, the learned Dr. E. J. Eckman in his unsurpassed
historical research says:
- Christ says about Infant Baptism-NOTHING.
- The Apostles say about Infant Baptism-NOTHING.
- The Apostolic Fathers say about Infant Baptism-NOTHING.
- The early Church Fathers say about Infant Baptism as having originated from Christ or
the Apostles-NOTHING.
- Justin Martyr mentions about Infant Baptism-NOTHING.
- Iraneus says about Infant Baptism-NOTHING.
- Tertullian mentions about Infant Baptism-NOTHING.
- How much less, therefore, could these great men have believed in Baptismal Regeneration?
The sudden rise of Baptismal Regeneration is
not hard to account f or when we stop to consider for a moment the mystic rites of
Paganism. In the grey mists of antiquity concerning Egypt, Chaldea and Babylon, we learn
that the power of priestcraft was so great that they held the eternal destiny of human
souls in their grasp. Sacramental graces were not unknown to them. Infants who died
without the mystic rites of heathenism having been performed over them, were denied
entrance into the "Elysian Fields," the paradise of the Pagans. In Classical
Literature we read of the visit of AEaneas to the infernal regions. There he found the
unhappy souls of infants who had died without receiving the rites of Paganism. Catholics
say: Baltimore Catechism, page 45: "Infants dying without Baptism will not enjoy
heavenly bliss." This they get direct from Babylon and not the Bible. How much like
the boast of some churches today as to the power of sacramental graces.
There were two things that were most often
commemorated in the Babylonian mysteries-the Flood-Noah and the Ark. Noah who lived as it
were in two worlds-one before the Flood and the new world after the Flood-was named the
"Twice-born." Noah is pictured as having been regenerated by passing through the
Flood. Here we have the beginning of Regeneration by water.
Plutarch tells us the story of the Egyptian god
Osiris was the story of Noah. Osiris was looked upon as dead. He was buried in his ark and
committed to the deep. When he finally came out of it again, he was looked upon as being
regenerated. The Chaldean priests, these "worthy" descendents of Ham continued
to pervert all truth, and led their votaries to believe that they could all become like
the second father of mankind, Noah-a "Twice-born" man, if they would only pass
through the baptismal water, and do the pennance connected therewith. This would
regenerate them-yes give them the new birth, "which their very conscience told them
that they so much needed."
Tertullian says-referring especially to the
worship of Mithra:"The mode of initiation is by baptism. The candidate was assured
that therein he was regenerated and pardoned from all his perjuries."
Ancient Baptismal Ritual from Days of Babylon.
Perhaps the most striking illustration in the
use of Baptismal Regeneration is seen from the way the early explorers found it practiced
in Mexico. No less a scholar than the great Humbolt goes on record as saying that this
Mexican mythology is the same as that of the Egyptians, Persians and the worshippers of
the Chaldean Queen of Heaven.
In the early days, when Cortez and his warriors
landed on the shores of Mexico, the ceremony of Mexican baptism which was beheld with
astonishment by the Spanish Roman Catholic missionaries, is thus strikingly described in
Prescott's Conquest of Mexico:
"When everything necessary for baptism was
completed, all the relations of the child were assembled-they met together in the
courtyard of the house. When the sun had risen, the midwife, taking the child in her arms,
called for A little earthen vessel of water . . . after this she sprinkled water on the
head of the infant, saying, 'O my child, take and receive the water of the Lord of the
world, which is our life, which is given for the increasing and renewing of our body, and
dwell there; that they may destroy and remove from you all the evil and sin which was
given you before the beginning of the world. . . . She then washed the body . . . and
spoke in this manner: 'Whencesoever thou comest, thou that are hurtful to this child,
leave him and depart from him, for he now liveth anew, and is born-again.' "
Note the similarity between the above heathen
baptism and the average baptismal service where children are sprinkled unto regeneration:
There is an assembled throng and the little
earthen vessel of water. There is a going through of certain ceremonies not found in
Scripture with the application of water on the infant's head. There is the extolling of
the mighty power of this affusion: The Pagans say: "For he now liveth anew, and is
born-again." The Book of Concord says: "Blessed be God the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ who has begotten thee of water and the Holy Spirit."
When we consider that this form of regenerating
children was absolutely unknown in the Old Testament Biblical economy, can there be any
doubt as to the origin of Baptismal Regeneration? It comes directly from Pagan Babylon.
Ancient History Testifies That Baptismal Regeneration Comes from Pagan Babylon.
According to Hyslop as recorded in his work,
"The Two Babylons," Baptismal Regeneration goes back to the days of Noah, who
lived, as it were, in two worlds-the one before and the one after the flood. As such he
was named the Twice-born.
When we consider Ancient History, we see how
the idea of being a "Twice-born" man found its way in among the Pagans. The
knowledge of the new birth was, therefore, known more than 2,000 years before Christ spoke
to Nicodemus. Hyslop says: "Hindus who never opened their ears to Christian
instruction, are as familiar with the idea of Baptismal Regeneration as ourselves. The
Brahmins make it their distinguishing boast that they are twice-born men. Now the same was
the case in Babylon, and there the new birth was conferred by Baptism."
Biblical Church History Testifies To Presence of Mother Harlots in the Church
If we now turn to Biblical Church History as
found in Christ's letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation, chapters two and three, we
find further verification of the presence of Babylon in the Christian Church.
In His letter to Ephesus, Christ tells us about
an enemy known as the Nicolaitans. This enemy appears, in full bloom indicating as we have
shown before its previous existence and Christ hates them. He does not tell us where they
come from but He tells us that they are there.
In His letter to Smyrna He tells us about the
Synagogue of Satan which has found its way into the Church. The Synagogue arose in Babylon
when Israel under her seventy-year captivity, deprived of her Temple service, gathered in
little groups for services. Here the true grace order of salvation which Israel had
received from God was perverted by the injection of this Babylonian system of works. This
in turn was preserved in the Talmud, which as a religious book, practically replaced the
Bible for Israel. Paul tells us in the tenth chapter of Rorhans, as he reviews the whole
history of the nation, that Israel had been led into following a "law of
righteousness" (a system of works), instead of the grace order of God. This became
Satan's instrument in leading her away from God. Jesus says of Israel, "Had ye
believed Moses, ye would have believed me." Thus this Babylonian system of works came
into the church through false Judaism, which was such a mighty enemy of the early church.
When we come to Pergamum we see that Satan had
established his throne there in the Church. This Nicolaitan system had now grown until it
had not only "works," as in Ephesus, but it now had perfected a system of
teaching as well. The leading factor of this system as seen in Pergamum was a mercenary
ministry, who would rather teach error than give up a good salary. Like Balaam, they knew
better, but in order to keep up a big organization from which to collect their big
salaries, they knowingly and willingly encouraged fornication, which is but another name
for letting the world with all its sinful practices thrive unrebuked in the church. We
mean such things as taking in unregenerate members, allowing all kinds of eating,
drinking, buying, selling, fun and frivolity in the church.
Then they encouraged the eating of things
sacrificed to idols. Now what is this Romish Transubstantiation Communion service where
the bread and wine are supposed to be literally changed into the body and blood of Christ,
but eating things sacrificed to idols. For the common folks Transubstantiation and
Consubstantiation mean virtually the same. Thus we see how this Nicolaitan system had in
the Pergamum church developed a whole system of teaching, produced a mercenary ministry to
carry out its precepts, the result being that the church became a harlot through her
fornication-she became like her spiritual mother, both in precept and practice.
When we come to the church of Thyatira the
identification of this Nicolaitan system as the "Mother of Harlots" at work in
the church is most complete. Here she is seen under the figure of the most wicked woman
known in the Bible, who in direct contradiction to God's Word, that a woman shall not
teach, assumes the position of a "prophetess and teacher." This means just
exactly what the Pope does today. When he speaks "excathedra" it is just as
binding upon the poor deluded people as when God speaks in His Word. Then we are told that
this system seduces the people to commit fornication and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Now by seducing we mean that she tempts, overpersuades, entices, allures, captivates,
fascinates, bewitches, charms, her people to commit these sins. Now what is this but Rome
over again with all her coercion and perversion, as she leads her subjects to pray to
images, count their beads, cross themselves, buck and bow and bend, as they go through
their meaningless service, the crowning event of which is the eating of the sacred wafer
supposed to be the literal body of Christ. Now they baked little cakes for the Queen of
Heaven also in Jeremiah's day, but not without a mighty protest from this man of God.
Where is the protest today, as it was in the days of Luther?
In order to perpetrate this hollow mockery,
people must be led into it carefully: First, they are led into the church through the
false door of Baptismal Regeneration. They are thus assured that they are born again. The
false door of Baptismal Regeneration is the real power of this system-this Hagar system of
works. We note in Galatians that Hagar bore children just as well as Sarah. From this we
learn that this system of works actually causes a religious birth, but it is of the flesh
and unto bondage. It really changes a man on the inside. They get eyes that see not and
cars that hear not. They enter a state of spiritual coma-their true spiritual faculties
for discerning real truth become paralyzed. This accounts for the fact that otherwise
honest and intelligent men will tolerate such spiritual deceit being perpetrated upon
themselves and their families. Without this spiritually paralyzed membership, Rome could
never exist, for as soon as a man is born from above, he wakes up to see all this mockery
and takes his leave.
A Hagar-born Membership Is Absolutely Indispensable to the Existence of this
Babylonian System of the Great Harlot.
Such people are much harder to reach with a
message of the new birth than such as have never experienced the deadening influence of
this system of works. No wonder that God allows the system to go right into the great
Tribulation: Rev. 2:22, "Behold I cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery
with her into great tribulation." That this refers to The Great Tribulation may be
seen from Rev. 17:16-17, where this great Harlot is seen suffering in the Great
Tribulation. From this we understand that the power of this great Harlot must be felt in
the church right up to that time. Hence her great strength even today.
How the Lutheran church today after so many
years of enlightenment, when her own leaders see clearly that Rome is this great Harlot
church, a fact so well known that it needs no proof-how they can go right on building
their churches on exactly the same foundation as Rome, is indeed hard to understand. Her
membership comes in through the door of Baptismal Regeneration, then they go on to
Confirmation, just as Rome does. Her two sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper are
virtually the same as that of Rome. Her liturgy, her canonicals, her order of service is
so much like that of Rome, that in many churches when the pastor puts on his gown, his
surplice, and his imitation pallium, he looks so much like a Roman priest that only an
expert can tell the difference. It must be evident to those who see this that there is but
one thing to do: Either clean house or get out of the house.
As we turn to Sardis we see an upward trend-a
reformation which was abortive. They had a name to live but were dead. God finds none of
her works perfected.
The Philadelphia church was the church of the
open door. She had a little strength. Jew and Gentile alike did she bring into her fold.
She represents a time of great awakening.
Church History Testifies to the Presence of Mother of Harlots in Church
As we scan through secular Church History we
find how it substantiates our findings both from Biblical and Ancient History. Looking at
the Post Apostolic Church we find that repentance with faith was the only known door into
the Kingdom. The hollow mockery of proxy religion-the age of miracle and magic, where a
proxy presumes to repent and believe for the child had now come. This is testified to in
the "Epistle of Barnabas...... The Teaching of the Twelve
Apostles," Justin Martyr and others, up to
about 120 A.D. When we come to Clement, 193-202, we find indications of the regenerative
power of baptism. Infant Baptism was not known for the first 150 years after the death of
Christ.
When we come to Tertullian, we find that he is
the first of whom it can be said with certainty, that he taught infant baptism unto
regeneration. From there on rapid strides were made, so much so that when we come to the
middle of the third century we find that Infant Baptism was sufficiently established to
have the support of a Synod of Bishops held at Carthage in 252 A.D.
Coming down now to the middle of the fourth
century we find the first great active advocate of Infant Baptism unto regeneration in the
person of Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, who did more than any other single man perhaps to
establish this doctrine on a consistent theological basis. This takes us to the period
354-430 AD. Thus we see that whether we turn to Ancient History, Biblical story, or Church
History, they all bear testimony to the coming in of the idol of Baptismal Regeneration
together with the advent of the "Mother of Harlots" into the church.
Baptismal Regeneration Is a Bewhiskered Old Doctrine of Demons
Now that we have seen a little of the history
of Baptismal Regeneration, let us look a little closer at this would-be patriarch, to whom
the necessity of paying obedience becomes the prime qualification for belonging to certain
denominations. Not what think ye of Christ, but wilt thou bow down to this Babylonian
deity, becomes the real test for being permitted to preach in certain pulpits. No matter
how much men may have in common in Christ Jesus; yes men may even be saloon-keepers,
drink, swear, lie, steal, go to shows, join lodges, in fact live as worldly as they please
and still be in good standing in the brotherhood, but if they fail to bow down to this
Babylonian Bull Calf, they are automatically ostracized. Automatically every door closes
to them. It must be Christ plus this idol or ones fellowship is undesirable although for
the first 4,000 years this demon was not known among the fellowship of God's children.
Patriarchs there are in Scripture, and though
they do not demand worship, yet we can give them respectful reverence. Baptismal
Regeneration, this would-be patriarch, arises not from Scripture, but from Pagan Babylon.
True he is bewhiskered and hoary with age, but as Scripture reveals error, it is well-nigh
as hoary with age as truth. If we shall reverence things because they are old, then we
must reverence the Devil himself.
That the marvelous and magical power attributed
to Baptismal Regeneration has been lauded on the confessional pages of certain churches
for centuries, telling how amazingly it acts, on infants, pagans, and idiots alike, making
them holy in a moment, without light, knowledge, faith or love-all this, I say, does not
shield it from a fair trial in the light of the Law and the Testimony. We are not passing
judgment on men as such. Every man shall answer for himself. As we try this pseudo-elder
in the light of Scripture we find just what hundreds have found before us: We find
Baptismal Regeneration to be a "Figment of distempered brains, the creature of
religious romance, the off-spring of a metaphysical delusion, for which there is no cure,
but in a rational reading and study of the book of God.
With full knowledge that we shall one day have
to give account to God for our words-we unhesitatingly charge this hoary old bewhiskered
patriarch with being not a patriarch of Scripture at all, but just an ignoble old Chaldean
vagabond.
We charge Baptismal Regeneration with being the
most destructive heresy that ever raised its Hydra-head out of the pit of hell. It was not
planned in the councils of God from eternity. It was instigated in the councils of hell
and darkness; the Devil being the father thereof, and the harlot Babylon the Great, being
the mother thereof. It is an accursed lie that has dragged millions down to hell.
We charge Baptismal Regeneration with being a
hoary old doctrine of demons, which is responsible in that millions are deceived as to the
new birth, and thus kept out of heaven.
We charge Baptismal Regeneration with casting a
shadow on the finished work of Christ upon the cross, by belittling the power of His shed
blood on behalf of infants.
We charge Baptismal Regeneration with being not
a door into the kingdom of God, but a trap, and of the millions who enter by this way, but
few ever recover themselves from its snares. Think of the millions of trusting,
well-meaning Catholics, Episcopalians and Lutherans. I am not thinking so much about this
or that doctrine, but where these deceived souls shall spend eternity.
Jesus says, "I am the way the truth and
the life. No one cometh unto the Father, but by me." They who teach Baptismal
Regeneration say: "The power, work, profit and fruit and end of baptism IS TO
SAVE." Do we not need to hear again the words of Elijah, I Kings 18:21: "And
Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two
sides? If Jehovah be God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him. And the people
answered him not a word." If baptism has power to save, then Jesus cannot be the only
way to heaven. What an insult to the Lord who died of a broken heart that we might live,
to set up another saviour besides Him. Will you not for His honor-for His good name's sake
put this idol away now?
Upon the power of this idol rests this whole
system of works. All his magical rites revolve around him. To him they come for life
itself. As the priest before the assembled congregation pretends to affect a mixture of
water and the Word, he turns to the proxy, (sometimes they are Christians, but often they
are wicked and worldly people), who on behalf of, the child solemnly before God binds
himself to keep impossible vows, which worldly people wantonly break each day, and even
the very best of people fail in. Think of it as it very often is: Men who themselves serve
the devil and do his work night and day, affirming to stand as security for a poor
helpless babe, while all the while we have no less surety for this babe than the Lord
Jesus Christ Himself. How this must grieve God and the holy Angels who so highly honor
Jesus in heaven, to see Him replaced here in His great work as surety, by a miserable
sinner. Here in this Pagan service Christ is set aside and an idol set up in His place.
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