When dealing with sacramental efficacy I have found this rule of Calvin's to be important: "From this sacrament, as from all others, we obtain only as much as we receive in faith" (Institutes, 4:15:15).

I think the use of baptism for external assurance, as one finds especially in continental reformed writings, is preliminary to assurance proper, which is internal. It certifies that the promises of God have been made to us, and we have no reason to reject them on the basis of specious questionings of whether we are elect or not.

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Yours sincerely,


"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."