Selection from Arcana Coelestia ~ Emanuel Swedenborg
— Doctrinal Things of Charity —
All regeneration is effected by the Lord by means of the truths of faith and a life according to them. Therefore Baptism testifies that the man belongs to the church, and that he can be regenerated; for in the church the Lord is acknowledged, who regenerates; and in it is the Word which contains the truths of faith whereby regeneration is effected.
This the Lord teaches in John:
Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5)in the spiritual sense "water" denotes the truth of faith from the Word; "the spirit" denotes a life according to this truth; and "to be born" of these denotes to be regenerated.
As everyone who is regenerated also undergoes temptations, which are spiritual combats against evils and falsities, therefore by the waters of Baptism these temptations also are signified.
As Baptism is for a sign and a memorial of these things, therefore a man may be baptized when an infant, and if not then, when an adult.
Be it known therefore by those who are baptized, that Baptism itself does not confer faith, or salvation; but that it testifies that men receive faith, and that they are saved, if they are regenerated.
From this it can be seen what is meant by the Lord's words in Mark:
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be condemned (Mark 16:16)"he that believeth" is he who acknowledges the Lord and receives Divine truths from Him through the Word; "he that is baptized" is he who is regenerated by the Lord by means of these truths.
(Arcana Coelestia 10386-10392)
(series to be continued)