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

Hi again William,
I note that you find it easier to keep asking questions than to reply to my posts. Does your oikos baptism involve baptizing the unbelieving wife and teenage children of a believing husband? If not, why not?

With reference to oikos in the OT, it is, of course only found in the Septuagint translation. However, by pressing the OT practice on the NT you are taking a Hebrew word, written (under inspiration) by a Hebrew to Hebrews in around 1500-600 BC and forcing its meaning on a Greek author (Luke) writing in Greek to Greeks (Acts 1:1) in the 1st Century AD. I'm not sure that this is too clever.

The change in Covenant administration is very clearly found in Scripture. It was prophesied by Jeremiah, so when our Lord declared, 'This cup is the New Covenant in My blood' (Luke 22:20), the Apostles minds would have gone straight to Jer 31:31ff and also to the Lord's words to Nicodemus; 'Unless one is born again, one cannot see the Kingdom of God.' That they fully understood the import of the change of covenant is made clear by Peter on the day of Pentecost. 'Repent and be baptized!' His hearers had already been circumcised, but that was of no consequence in the new covenant. Baptism had replaced circumcision and that baptism was to be given only to those who repented and trusted in Christ.

You're aware that I have answered Pilgrim's post re. baptism and the Elect. I won't add to it here.

I absolutely do not equate our Lord's expression, 'Born of water and the Spirit' with water baptism. In this, at least, I am in agreement with John Murray. I believe the New Birth to be a fulfillment of Ezekiel's prophecy in Ezek 36:25-27 (cf. also Psalm 51:7, 10-11; Titus 3:5). It is a birth of washing and renewal; the washing away of sins and renewal by the Holy Spirit. Ryle's Expository Thoughts on John Vol 1 has a very helpful treatment on this.

BTW, I'm aware that I owe you a reply on the 'visible/invisible' church. Now my eyes are better, I hope to post on this tomorrow (DV).

Every blessing,
Steve