John Wesley's Two Minds on Baptism into Christ
John Wesley's Notes on the New Testament reveals two competing views of baptism. Wesley's note Galatians 3:27 displays what you might call a testimonial view of baptism. Paul wrote, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Wesley paraphrases Paul's words, For as many of you as have testified your faith by being baptized in the name of Christ, have put on Christ - Have received him as your righteousness, and are therefore sons of God through him. Wesley's paraphrase introduces the idea of "testimony," a concept not actually found in the text itself. Here, Wesley understands baptism to be a person's public affirmation of of the inward faith he or she already possesses. "Putting on Christ" is the result of inward faith, not the baptismal act. Baptism itself does not appear to accomplish anything. With this understanding, Paul's reference to being "baptized into Christ" almost seem...