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Steve Said,

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.[/b]
Steve, where is the word Calvinism in the Bible? Do you believe in Calvinism? averagefellar, asks a very good question!!!

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Steve Said,

The text very clearly says that everyone in the New Covenant knows Him.
Steve, I agree the text says everyone in the New Covenant knows Him, but presently many do not. The text is clearly speaking about the future: (1) not everyone is saved that will be saved, and thus the fullness of the covenant is not here yet—for not everyone knows Him yet, for some of them have not even been born, (2) everyone who is in the visible Church (both saved and lost) still need to be separated, wheat and tares in His Church—(Matt 13:24-30). Thus, you need to understand the fullness of the New Covenant is still not here YET.

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Steve Said,

Nor will it do to put off this knowing of God until after the return of our Lord.
Christ in His first coming only inaugurated the New Covenant. He continues to establish it during the time between His first and second coming and will establish it fully only at His return in glory.

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Steve Said,

'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).
So, you do not have a pastor that teaches you? Why did the Apostle Paul every preach a single sermon? The Kingdom is not yet here in its fullness. The theological phrase for this is—“the now, but not yet.”

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Steve Said,

Only those who know the Lord are in the New Covenant, and therefore it is fitting that only they should receive baptism.
Steve, you still do not know who is in the New Covenant and thus you are stuck with no baptisms at all. Was Isaac ever a member of the O.C.? Was Jacob ever a member of the O.C.? Was Esau ever a member of the O.C.? (Heb 11:20; 12:15-17).

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Heb 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.

Hebrews 10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
While the individuals referred to here were never saved, were they ever in the covenant (visible/invisible Church distinction)?

Reformed and Always Reforming,