The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Continuity in Old and NT

William, if you can show me one place where I have 'equivocated' (sic) baptism with the elect, then I will continue this part of our conversation, but not otherwise.

And you, show me where this visible/invisible church divide is in the NT. Listen to the Apostle John: 'But you (ie. everyone to whom he's writing) have an anointing from the Holy One.....'(1John 2:20). Everywhere, the NT letter writers assumed that they were dealing with a regenerate church. If they weren't born again, then they weren't in any church- visible or otherwise, whether they attended one or not (1John 2:19).

If you want to know the practice of the early Reformers, the consider Art. XIX of the Church of England. 'The visible (mark that!) Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men...etc.' Cranmer and Co. knew nothing of an invisible Church. Their intention was to weed out unbelievers by the Confirmation service. They (wrongly) baptized infants but did not count them as church members until Confirmation.

That there was a remnant in Israel saved by grace is very true; but that was the Old Covenant not the New. In the New Covenant, 'They shall all know Me from the least of them to the greatest of them.'

Blessings,
Steve