Covenant Theology - Ian Day - October 19, 2003.
While I am totally convinced of the basic Covenant Theology understanding of Scripture, I am not convinced on paedobaptism aka "covenant baptism". Believers' baptism is my understanding.
Scriptures are typical, not exhaustive.
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Q |
Covenant |
Scripture |
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What is a covenant? |
The undertaking by a superior to an inferior to protect, on the understanding that the inferior renders obedience. Covenants are sealed by the sharing of a sacrificial meal. |
Joshua 9 (note that "league" is covenant.) |
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What is God's covenant? |
The undertaking by God to bless & protect & multiply his people and bring them to the promised land. The covenant was guaranteed by a shared (divided) sacrifice. Ultimately Jesus, God & Man is the sacrifice. |
Genesis 15, Hebrews 8-12, 13:20ff |
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Is that covenant exclusively for the natural descendants of Abraham? |
No. All families (nations) are counted in from the outset. |
Genesis 12, 22. |
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What is the universal promise of the covenant? |
I will be with you & be your God, & you will be my people. (In various forms.) |
Exodus 6, Leviticus 26, Jeremiah 31, Hebrews 8, Revelation 21. |
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Did God keep his covenant with Abraham? |
Yes. The people possessed the promised land. |
Joshua 21 |
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Did Abraham understand the covenant solely in terms of the physical land? |
No. He expected a heavenly city. |
Hebrews 11. |
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How will the covenant promises be perfectly fulfilled? |
In the new heaven & new earth. |
2 Peter 3, Revelation 21. |
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Was there a covenant with Adam? (Hosea 6:7 ) |
Yes. Adam enjoyed God's protection subject to obedience, with death the penalty for disobedience. |
Genesis 2 |
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Old covenant |
New covenant |
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How was the covenant ratified? |
Animal sacrifices |
The sacrifice of Christ - He will save his people from their sins |
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How is/was God's presence made known? |
The tabernacle/temple |
Jesus Christ - Immanuel |
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What is/was the covenant sign/seal |
Circumcision. Genesis 17 |
Baptism ? Romans 4-6, Colossians 2. Baptism is not written of in terms of sign or seal, but it is implied. |
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Who is in the covenant? |
All Abraham's natural descendants together with all who associate with them & are circumcised. |
All Abraham's descendants by faith, who are born again by the Spirit of God. |
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Are children counted in the covenant? |
Yes. |
Standard CT says yes. Baptist CT says not natural children, but born again children. John 1:12-13, John 3, Galatians 3. |
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Are all in the covenant saved? |
No. Ishmael, Esau. Deuteronomy 10:19, Romans 2:29. |
Yes. Jeremiah 31, Hebrews 8 |
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Does the covenant ever end? |
Yes. It ends when fulfilled in & by the Lord Jesus Christ. Hebrews 8. |
No. It is perfectly implemented in the NH&NE. Rev. 21. |
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In standard CT the fact that Abraham's children were counted in, together with all his household & even Ishmael, though he was a rebellious teenager. By analogy with that ordinance, children are included in baptism. In effect not just believers' children but the children of all who want their children baptised are included.
Scriptures used to prove infant baptism include Jesus' blessing the children, the promise stated by Peter (Acts 2) & the various household baptisms. Colossians 2 links circumcision & baptism; 1 Corinthians 10 with its typical baptism in the sea & river includes infants; sprinkling baptisms in Hebrews 9 (9:10 should read "various baptisms") probably included children in the far-flung blood & water sprinkling.
The great problem is that it inevitably results in unbelievers receiving the covenant sign. In a "Christian" country most babies are baptised. The sign becomes either (1) meaningless (2) a deception for those who think baptism made them Christian (as I was taught in the Church of England) (3) a precious sign for those born again of their covenant relationship with God in Christ. Then there is no covenant sign when one is converted & received into the church, unless the communion service is reserved for those born again. In the C of E confirmation is used before attendance at communion, but this is routine & may have nothing to do with being born again. (It was years before my conversion.)
CT maintains the unity of the covenants, so that the Old Covenant is fully typical of the New. That leads to infant baptism & sprinkling. (Hebrews 9 list sprinkling baptisms.) When we consider the sign applied to those born into Israel, it need not imply baptism for children born to Christians. It validly applies to those born again of the Spirit.
Regarding paedobaptist proof texts, (1) in most cases the households were immediately active in service. (e.g. Acts 16:34, 1 Cor,. 16:15), (2) the promise to "you & your children" in Acts 2 appears to be a cancellation of the self curse in Matt. 27:25. It is only an authorisation to baptise repentant children. Obvious those far off would not be immediately baptised.
The mode of baptism is not taught specifically in Scripture. Immersion is inferred from "buried" texts, & going in to & out from the water. Sprinkling is inferred from the Old Covenant Scriptures listed in Hebrews 9.
What is the Everlasting Covenant? The EC is the only saving covenant, seen in type in the OC & fully ratified in the NC. Every sinner saved is saved by the EC, the blood of Jesus Christ being effective for the salvation of all the redeemed.