May 8, 2012
Running time: 32:30
This sermon treats the subject of how we should consider our infants and very young children before they actually profess faith in Christ. Hint: we don’t treat them like the Baptists treat their infants and very young children before they profess faith in Christ. This has everything to do with understanding the Covenant of Grace.
Scripture Lesson: Acts 2:38-39
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2 comments so far
Mar 19, 2014dwp2 #
This is a view not reflective of any new testament gospel I have read, nor shared by any United Reformed Groups that I know of. Scripture clearly teaches that all are born sinful, a Saviour is promised to those who truly believe and repent, and the free offer of grace through faith applies to all men. The benefits of being born to Christian parents in no way means we are entitled to eternal life. Otherwise, why preach the gospel? Any comments?
Mar 19, 2014Rev. Tom Morrison #
Thank you for your question.
Yes, the Scriptures do teach that all are born sinful and that the Gospel is to be preached to all people without distinction. In addition, the Scriptures clearly teach that there are spiritual benefits to being born to Christian parents or even one Christian parent. Paul says this explicitly in 1 Cor. 7:14: “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.†In my sermon I discuss the meaning of this verse fully. For lack of space and time I’ll summarize here: for the children to be holy means that the children are members of the Covenant of Grace at least externally. They may not be regenerate or have saving faith (internal membership in the covenant) but they are legally members of this covenant (external membership). As members of the covenant they are regarded are Christians and are to be baptized.
This theology teaches that as members of the Covenant of Grace they are promised the benefits of that covenant: regeneration, faith, grace, justification, sanctification, etc. However, they must profess their faith publically in a true visible church. If they refuse to do this or deny Christ, then they are excommunicated from the church. This is the kind of denial the author of Hebrew discusses throughout his letter. If this happens, then the person’s baptism signifies and seals his judgment.
In summary, no one is entitled to eternal life. The children of believers are promised salvation, which the sacrament of baptism signifies and seals. But these children must have true faith in Christ.