The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Covenant members and more

John,

As I have always believed the Scriptures to teach, there are those in the visible church who belong to two distinct groups: 1) Those that have a living relationship with God through true faith in the Lord Christ. They are also members of the invisible church and are true members of God's covenant of grace. 2) Those that are part of the visible church by virtue of their birth to a believing parent(s). They are privileged and "holy" (set apart from the world) to be exposed to the preaching and teaching of the church and their parents as well as observing their faith lived out from day to day in the home. They are not to be considered believers (regenerate), nor are they to be given the privileges of the covenant of grace, e.g., the Lord's Supper nor have any children born to them baptized UNTIL they make a veritable confession of faith.

In short, there are those who stand in an external relationship to the covenant and to God. And, there are those who stand in an internal relationship to the covenant and to God.

Obviously, my view stands in stark contrast and in opposition to those who hold to the view espoused by Drs. Matthew MacMahon and some on this Board. I stand with men such as Jonathan Edwards, Robert Dabney, et al. No doubt, this will open up the proverbial Pandora's Box again!!

In His Grace,