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The Second Adam and the New Birth
In this classic volume, nineteenth-century Reformed Anglican M.F. Sadler provides invaluable insight into the Sacrament of Christian Baptism. Drawing from a great multitude of both Old and New Testament texts as well as the work of the Church's greatest theologians (including Augustin, Anselm, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin and Cranmer), Sadler demonstrates that orthodox Christian theology has traditionally recognized baptism as the basis of our union with Christ, the Second Adam. The product of this study is an impenetrable defense of infant baptism and a brilliant exposition of the manner in which the Scriptures speak of the relationship between the Sacraments, the Church and salvation. Now, in publication for the first time in over a century, The Second Adam and the New Birth is here to challenge and inform an entirely new generation of churchmen and theologians.
Introductory essay by Rich Lusk
Introductory essay by Rich Lusk
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 1862
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 23, 2014
I am a Calvinist. Sadler is a Calvinist, too. He was a 19th century Anglican and decided to write this book on what baptism does. He argues that baptism is the new birth that brings you into union with Christ. That sounds freaky scary to a Calvinist like me, but his exegesis and dealing with all the arguments were so compelling, I have to agree with him.
The big change I'm forced to make with my theology as I read this book is with regard to the doctrine of election. I thought if you're elect it means there is no doubt that you'll be in heaven. Sadler shows that that isn't exactly what election means. It is possible for a person to be elect and NOT persevere. There are various degrees of grace, and some grace is not a guarantee of final perseverance. That sounds crazy, but that's what you find in the Bible, so I have to believe it.
For example, I found the doctrine of election in the book of Romans. When I first came to Romans 9 it was a whole new world for me. That doctrine is found surrounded by chapter 6 on the one side and chapter 11 on the other side. Both of those chapters talk about the need to persevere in God's grace and the very real consequences if you don't. Chapter 11 says you will be cut off the vine!
I wonder if Calvinism has been misread by modern calvinists to get to the view I had until recently. Augustine understood these concepts, and it seems like Calvin did too, with all the quotes from him in this book. I'm thankful for the corrective. It presses home to me just how important obedience is. Don't presume you will be able to repent of sin. God may remove His grace.
Great book.
The big change I'm forced to make with my theology as I read this book is with regard to the doctrine of election. I thought if you're elect it means there is no doubt that you'll be in heaven. Sadler shows that that isn't exactly what election means. It is possible for a person to be elect and NOT persevere. There are various degrees of grace, and some grace is not a guarantee of final perseverance. That sounds crazy, but that's what you find in the Bible, so I have to believe it.
For example, I found the doctrine of election in the book of Romans. When I first came to Romans 9 it was a whole new world for me. That doctrine is found surrounded by chapter 6 on the one side and chapter 11 on the other side. Both of those chapters talk about the need to persevere in God's grace and the very real consequences if you don't. Chapter 11 says you will be cut off the vine!
I wonder if Calvinism has been misread by modern calvinists to get to the view I had until recently. Augustine understood these concepts, and it seems like Calvin did too, with all the quotes from him in this book. I'm thankful for the corrective. It presses home to me just how important obedience is. Don't presume you will be able to repent of sin. God may remove His grace.
Great book.
May 20, 2024
One of the best books I've read on baptism and regeneration. Quite illuminating on how the two subjects relate to one another.
July 30, 2025
Phenomenal. This has been a wildly helpful text as I try to understand the doctrine of Holy Baptism. Sadler presents a holistic and Scripture-drenched case for Holy Baptism as that which births within us a new nature: that of the Second Adam, Jesus Christ.
This text has given me both a Fear of the Lord (in that Scripture is wildly clear that baptismal grace can be forsaken), and also a deep assurance in the great Mercy of God and the depths of His Gift to us. May God grant us holiness as, through the grace of this Sacrament, we “consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
This text has given me both a Fear of the Lord (in that Scripture is wildly clear that baptismal grace can be forsaken), and also a deep assurance in the great Mercy of God and the depths of His Gift to us. May God grant us holiness as, through the grace of this Sacrament, we “consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
July 8, 2022
Favorite book of 2022 so far. So much valuable info packed into this book. Great intro by Lusk. This book was out of print for a while. Very blessed it’s back.
M F Sadler was an Anglican priest in the 19th century. Sadler exhaustively walks you through the biblical view of baptismal regeneration found in the Scriptures and held the first reformers with copious quotes from them as well as from various saints such as Augustine, Chrysostom, Bernard, Aquinas and so forth.
You will be glad you read it.
M F Sadler was an Anglican priest in the 19th century. Sadler exhaustively walks you through the biblical view of baptismal regeneration found in the Scriptures and held the first reformers with copious quotes from them as well as from various saints such as Augustine, Chrysostom, Bernard, Aquinas and so forth.
You will be glad you read it.
January 6, 2024
As I delve further and further down the baptismal well as I research more on the topic of federal vision, this book, by far, is one of the clearest ones I have read. While dear Sadler is long since gone to be with the Lord, this keeps on giving. There is much here that will take much time to digest and think through. While I am a Presbyterian and have very little interest in Anglicanism, I think there is much to learn by the older Anglican and some newer reformed Episcopalians (thinking of Ray Sutton's Signed, Sealed and Delivered) on the subject of baptismal regeneration/efficacy since they seem to hold the line on what the reformers actually taught regarding the subject. With how things were eroded during the Puritan era and all but lost by the 19th and early 20th century with the evangelical and reformed world becoming baptist.
October 30, 2024
Incredible book on baptismal regeneration. Lots of time walking through the relevant Scripture texts, even at point lining up passages that speak of a person being given grace, and an associated passage speaking of that grace being capable of being lost. He also walks through many historical figures, particularly from the Anglican tradition. Finally, he demonstrates that baptismal regeneration and predestination are not at odds with each other utilizing church fathers, medieval theologians, and Anglicans who affirm both.
Unless a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Unless a man be born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
January 20, 2022
A bit tedious and repetitive at points, but well worth wading through the weeds.
Clear exposition, drenched in Scripture. Utterly convincing. Framing regeneration as the counterpoint to original sin based on the participation in the nature of the First Adam or the Second Adam is eye opening for me, almost revolutionary.
Would love to see more attention given to Sadler by those in the Anglican tradition.
Clear exposition, drenched in Scripture. Utterly convincing. Framing regeneration as the counterpoint to original sin based on the participation in the nature of the First Adam or the Second Adam is eye opening for me, almost revolutionary.
Would love to see more attention given to Sadler by those in the Anglican tradition.
January 26, 2023
This is an exceptional book on Scripture's teaching on the doctrine of Holy Baptism. Sadler is a reformed Anglican from the magisterial tradition, battling the modern Calvinistic movements of his day. He addresses many topics, such as regeneration, conversion, adoption, apostasy, predestination, election, original sin, and so on. I didn't expect this book to touch on as much as it did, but I'm not mad about it.
If we speak of the term "regeneration" the way the Bible does, not necessarily the way theology does, we are forced to recognize two things. 1) Regeneration is the New Creation that Christ inaugurated with His death and resurrection. It is the New World, the New Order (Matt 19:28). 2) Baptism is the washing (λουτροῦ) of regeneration. The word used for "washing" is the water used for a bath, water for washing, or laver. This isn't talking about an invisible conversion in the heart of man. It's talking about the visible ceremonial rite, the sacrament of Baptism (Titus 3:5).
Holy Baptism is regenerative. It brings the person baptized out of the world of the first Adam into the sphere of the Last Adam. It is an adoption ceremony that grafts the baptized into the Body of Christ. This is where salvation lives. This is where the Word who became flesh continues to dwell among us. Baptism saves.
Conversion, often called "regeneration" in theology, is when the inner man is truly turned to God. This is a sovereign work of the Spirit, much like that of Baptism, and is invisible to us, much unlike Baptism. What is visible to us is the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person who is being renewed day by day into the likeness of Christ.
Because these terms have been conflated, it is very difficult to understand why, historically, the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church held to baptismal regeneration. When taught as an antidote to Original Sin rather than a presumptuous assurance of future glorification, however, it makes a lot more sense, and we can join in the one mind of our forefathers' teaching, Scripture's teaching.
If I had read this book five years ago, I would have thought the author was crazy. But if you've been diving into Church history and growing in sacramental theology, genuinely trying to affirm what all of Scripture says without making excuses for it, this book might be for you. I found it very helpful to iron out a few categories I was wrestling with. I still have a lot of wrestling to do, but I am grateful the Lord brought me this book to aid me on my journey.
Highly recommend!
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If we speak of the term "regeneration" the way the Bible does, not necessarily the way theology does, we are forced to recognize two things. 1) Regeneration is the New Creation that Christ inaugurated with His death and resurrection. It is the New World, the New Order (Matt 19:28). 2) Baptism is the washing (λουτροῦ) of regeneration. The word used for "washing" is the water used for a bath, water for washing, or laver. This isn't talking about an invisible conversion in the heart of man. It's talking about the visible ceremonial rite, the sacrament of Baptism (Titus 3:5).
Holy Baptism is regenerative. It brings the person baptized out of the world of the first Adam into the sphere of the Last Adam. It is an adoption ceremony that grafts the baptized into the Body of Christ. This is where salvation lives. This is where the Word who became flesh continues to dwell among us. Baptism saves.
Conversion, often called "regeneration" in theology, is when the inner man is truly turned to God. This is a sovereign work of the Spirit, much like that of Baptism, and is invisible to us, much unlike Baptism. What is visible to us is the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person who is being renewed day by day into the likeness of Christ.
Because these terms have been conflated, it is very difficult to understand why, historically, the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church held to baptismal regeneration. When taught as an antidote to Original Sin rather than a presumptuous assurance of future glorification, however, it makes a lot more sense, and we can join in the one mind of our forefathers' teaching, Scripture's teaching.
If I had read this book five years ago, I would have thought the author was crazy. But if you've been diving into Church history and growing in sacramental theology, genuinely trying to affirm what all of Scripture says without making excuses for it, this book might be for you. I found it very helpful to iron out a few categories I was wrestling with. I still have a lot of wrestling to do, but I am grateful the Lord brought me this book to aid me on my journey.
Highly recommend!
------------------
Follow!
https://www.instagram.com/laymansprog...
January 9, 2026
This one was a wild ride. Took me a while to read since many of the ideas formulated in detail here were, at least, somewhat new to me.
The subject of infant baptism has been & is currently a huge point of consternation in my brain. My shelves are full of mainly infant sprinklers, many of whom disagree on the “why” behind their doctrine of paedobaptism. From Augustine, to Aquinas, to Luther, to Calvin, to modern Presbyterians, CREC’s, Anglicans, and Catholics - none can agree why infants should be baptized or what actually is taking place during said baptism.
I have read tons of baptism material in what would mainly be considered Presbyterian or Westminster leaning, all of which has led me to think their hermeneutical approach is weak at best and objectively inconsistent. Maybe I’ll change this view one day.
Given that reality, I ventured into the world of reformed Anglicanism, aka Baptismal Regeneration. BR is a scary concept for us who hold to justification by faith alone, and yet Rome has a long history of burning people who hold this view. So, what gives? Are we actually saved by baptism? Are infants regenerated at their sprinkling? More later.
Some positives of the book:
1. The interpretive method Sadler uses is, in my opinion, much stronger than Presbyterians. In summary, we are all born into death through the first Adam. The children of believers therefore are born into the Second Adam though their baptism, or, regenerated at their baptism. Regeneration for Sadler doesn’t mean what it means for most of us. We interpret regeneration as full conversion: Sadler basically sees it as giving the baptized person the spiritual cleats to play the game - a starting point.
2. Sadler takes the warning passages of falling from grace seriously and deals with them in a way that makes some logical sense. If you’re baptized into Christ, and have received *some* grace in your baptism, if you fall away, you fell from something you really truly held in your baptism. According to Sadler, Paul assumes everyone is in a state of grace who is in the church, similar to the responsibility the Jewish people held through their circumcision; this dispensation of grace is “new” and “better” in that through baptism, grace is truly given rather than just a sign, like circumcision. As a (current) Baptist, I appreciated this.
Negatives:
1. This view is heavily dependent on interpreting 2 parts of scripture correctly: the New Birth in John 3 & Mark 16:16. On Mark, most scholars seem to agree that Mark 16 was not in original manuscripts; from what ive studied (S/O to Wes Huff), there’s no way to assume Mark 16 should be canon. So, that one is kind of out. On John 3, Sadler states Jesus is teaching baptismal regeneration here. “Born of water and spirit” is assumed to be effectual working at baptism. I’m not sure this is a good approach.
2. Ultimately, where Sadler loses me is at his divisions. He divides election into partially elect people who have been baptized and eternally elect people who persevere unto the end. He argues anyone can lose their salvation, at any time, due to the partial grace given at baptism. Ultimately, to me, the only thing that matters in theology is what’s true, what’s eternal. How those things are worked out pastorally is a different subject. Scripture seems to say there are wheat and tares, no one else. The church should be working to sort those people out by faithful preaching & shepherding.
3. Sadler’s approach to why people are united to Christ is fully based on baptism than faith. When you read Paul, he is laser focused on the faith aspect of our union to Christ. Baptism is part of that, sure, but faith is the primary crux for that union. Sadler is so focused on BR that he seemingly replaces the relationship given to the believer on the basis of faith with the act of baptism, and this is where I finally am lost on accepting his view as biblical. Hebrews 4 and Galatians 3 are great examples of why I cannot accept his position, for now.
At final analysis, this is still probably the most consistent infant baptism argument I’ve come across. The BR position Sadler argues should be taken seriously in the reformed world.
The subject of infant baptism has been & is currently a huge point of consternation in my brain. My shelves are full of mainly infant sprinklers, many of whom disagree on the “why” behind their doctrine of paedobaptism. From Augustine, to Aquinas, to Luther, to Calvin, to modern Presbyterians, CREC’s, Anglicans, and Catholics - none can agree why infants should be baptized or what actually is taking place during said baptism.
I have read tons of baptism material in what would mainly be considered Presbyterian or Westminster leaning, all of which has led me to think their hermeneutical approach is weak at best and objectively inconsistent. Maybe I’ll change this view one day.
Given that reality, I ventured into the world of reformed Anglicanism, aka Baptismal Regeneration. BR is a scary concept for us who hold to justification by faith alone, and yet Rome has a long history of burning people who hold this view. So, what gives? Are we actually saved by baptism? Are infants regenerated at their sprinkling? More later.
Some positives of the book:
1. The interpretive method Sadler uses is, in my opinion, much stronger than Presbyterians. In summary, we are all born into death through the first Adam. The children of believers therefore are born into the Second Adam though their baptism, or, regenerated at their baptism. Regeneration for Sadler doesn’t mean what it means for most of us. We interpret regeneration as full conversion: Sadler basically sees it as giving the baptized person the spiritual cleats to play the game - a starting point.
2. Sadler takes the warning passages of falling from grace seriously and deals with them in a way that makes some logical sense. If you’re baptized into Christ, and have received *some* grace in your baptism, if you fall away, you fell from something you really truly held in your baptism. According to Sadler, Paul assumes everyone is in a state of grace who is in the church, similar to the responsibility the Jewish people held through their circumcision; this dispensation of grace is “new” and “better” in that through baptism, grace is truly given rather than just a sign, like circumcision. As a (current) Baptist, I appreciated this.
Negatives:
1. This view is heavily dependent on interpreting 2 parts of scripture correctly: the New Birth in John 3 & Mark 16:16. On Mark, most scholars seem to agree that Mark 16 was not in original manuscripts; from what ive studied (S/O to Wes Huff), there’s no way to assume Mark 16 should be canon. So, that one is kind of out. On John 3, Sadler states Jesus is teaching baptismal regeneration here. “Born of water and spirit” is assumed to be effectual working at baptism. I’m not sure this is a good approach.
2. Ultimately, where Sadler loses me is at his divisions. He divides election into partially elect people who have been baptized and eternally elect people who persevere unto the end. He argues anyone can lose their salvation, at any time, due to the partial grace given at baptism. Ultimately, to me, the only thing that matters in theology is what’s true, what’s eternal. How those things are worked out pastorally is a different subject. Scripture seems to say there are wheat and tares, no one else. The church should be working to sort those people out by faithful preaching & shepherding.
3. Sadler’s approach to why people are united to Christ is fully based on baptism than faith. When you read Paul, he is laser focused on the faith aspect of our union to Christ. Baptism is part of that, sure, but faith is the primary crux for that union. Sadler is so focused on BR that he seemingly replaces the relationship given to the believer on the basis of faith with the act of baptism, and this is where I finally am lost on accepting his view as biblical. Hebrews 4 and Galatians 3 are great examples of why I cannot accept his position, for now.
At final analysis, this is still probably the most consistent infant baptism argument I’ve come across. The BR position Sadler argues should be taken seriously in the reformed world.
May 2, 2021
Wonderful treatment on the efficacy of baptism. The author, a reformed Anglican, stresses the thought of Luther, Calvin, Cranmer, Hooker, Jewel, and others that baptism actually delivers from sin, death, and the Devil. Baptism is not just a sign of divine grace but it actually offers and bestows forgiveness of sins.
September 25, 2023
The author makes a strong exegetical case for baptismal regeneration, if regeneration is defined using the older definition of the term. Also filled with historical evidence that this was the view of the early Reformed, including Calvin himself.
December 11, 2018
Sadler made me read the epistles in a whole new light. Questioning assumptions regarding the text will have you understand Paul in ways you never imagined.
September 3, 2021
This book was tantamount in my eventual shift towards Anglicanism. Sadler gives an excellent exegetical and historical defense of baptismal regeneration.
July 26, 2024
Um dos melhores livros para se ler sobre a eficácia batismal e sua relação com a eclesiologia. Uma joia esquecida.
December 27, 2010
This was a spectacular book. I'm not sure why I rated it, since I had not read it. Oh well. Mistakes happen. At any rate, this this was a valuable read. There were many insights and moments of revelation for me, and the prose struck me as well. Sadler was a Reformed Anglican, and this edition of his book comes with an extensive introduction by Rich Lusk on his strengths and weaknesses. The book's chief advantage is the ironclad reasoning, and it shows that interpretations of passages like John 15 (the true vine) associated with the Federal Vision and Norman Shepherd have a far older orthodox Calvinist pedigree than many have thought (thus far I have found "FV" interpretations of this passage in every major strand of Reformed theology, and in many different eras).
But the book is not merely helpful in my ongoing Federal Vision research, but was itself a solid book that challenged and edified me. Sadler roots his position in the Scriptures, and bolsters his case by ample quotation of the church fathers and the leading men of the Reformation, such as Calvin and Bucer, along with early Reformed Anglicans like Richard Hooker.
Some might think he is pushing for a form of Anglican baptismal regeneration, but a close reading tells us that what he is actually saying is that we must regard the Spirit as working in baptism because this is how the Bible speaks of it, even though this is not necessarily the case every time.
But the book is not merely helpful in my ongoing Federal Vision research, but was itself a solid book that challenged and edified me. Sadler roots his position in the Scriptures, and bolsters his case by ample quotation of the church fathers and the leading men of the Reformation, such as Calvin and Bucer, along with early Reformed Anglicans like Richard Hooker.
Some might think he is pushing for a form of Anglican baptismal regeneration, but a close reading tells us that what he is actually saying is that we must regard the Spirit as working in baptism because this is how the Bible speaks of it, even though this is not necessarily the case every time.
October 7, 2015
This book finished the job blowing my former paradigms of baptism away. It is solid in its handling of Scripture and assembles an impressive arsenal against the view that baptism is merely symbolic. It is neither Roman Catholic nor baptistic in its view of baptism; rather it treats the doctrine biblically without falling into any particular ditch. My only caveat is that it gives away too much regarding the doctrine of eternal election, which the author states that he believes wholeheartedly.
March 1, 2010
Intriguing treatment of baptism. Sadler wants to separate regeneration from conversion (which I'm not prepared to do) and tie it strictly to water baptism. He argues for the objective benefits of baptism without denying election or apostasy. Lots of issues in this book require more thought.
August 2, 2013
Definitely worth reading and keeping around for reference, but I think Boyd's "Baptism and Baptismal Regeneration" provides better coverage of the subject in general. Sutton's "Signed, Sealed, and Delivered" make both obsolete, but all three are very good.
January 5, 2015
Great read.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews