Joe,
I did not say, and nor does the text, that everyone in the 'visible church' (thinks: where is this phrase in the Bible?) knows the Lord. The text very clearly says that everyone in the New Covenant knows Him. Clearly, the New Covenant and the 'visible church' are not the same thing.

Nor will it do to put off this knowing of God until after the return of our Lord.

'But the anointing which you have received from Him [ie. Baptism of the Spirit] abides in you and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him (1John 2:27. cf. also 2:20-21; 1Cor 2:10-16).

These verses clearly parallel Jer 31:31ff, yet are placed firmly in the present.

Only those who know the Lord are in the New Covenant, and therefore it is fitting that only they should receive baptism. However baptism brings no one into the Covenant. If an unbeliever is baptized, his baptism is quite irrelevant (Acts 8:21).

Every blessing,
Steve

Itinerant Preacher & Bible Teacher in Merrie England.
1689er.
Blogging at
http://marprelate.wordpress.com