First, welcome to the forum. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/hello.gif" alt="" /> Second, I desire to address a few points, but will leave some for others to direct your attention to.

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This paragraph introduces the idea that one can participate in the New Covenant yet not in a saving way. It was certainly true of the Old Covenant that one could participate in all the externals of that Covenant –circumcision, Levitical worship, Jewish civil and ceremonial law and so on without regeneration. But the Baptist contention is that the Old Covenant was a picture –a type –a teaching symbol; and what it was a teaching symbol of is the internal reality of the New Covenant. Presbyterian CT errs in the failure to differentiate the type from the reality.
Baptists and Presbyterians BOTH baptize individuals which are not saved—visible covenant members. Presbyterians do this based on the continuity of the covenants (to which you agree above), where both the lost and saved are members of the “external” covenant. Baptist’s though have no warrant or Scripture on which to baptize “unbelievers,” though they do it? Where is the “direct” command in Scripture to baptize unbelievers—unless in the external covenant?

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Jer 31:34 states, “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD,"

It is crucial to determine who “they” are in this verse. If “they” are the members of the New Covenant –the regenerate, as we Baptists contend, then we will certainly obey the great commission and evangelise the lost, but the regenerate have no longer need of someone to lead them to salvation. “They” are already there! –they know Him. I am not saying we no longer teach, edify, sermonise and magnify the Lord –(I believe we will do this even in Glory) –but we will no longer teach believers as if they are unbelievers.
Baptist churches preach salvation messages almost weekly—to both the lost and saved and thus VIOLATE the very theology you claim they should be embracing.

Unfortunately my wife’s final tests Monday indicate that we will be proceeding with surgery tomorrow. Thanks to all of you that are praying. Needless to say I will not be around for a while.

Reformed and Always Reforming,