The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Infant Baptism and Paedo-Baptism

"Even Paedobaptists that deny presumptive regeneration would still say that their children are Christians and members of the church, including RC Sproul. It boils down to their distinction between the internal and external aspects of the Covenant of Grace."

1. The person who wrote/stated is wrong. Why? Because I'm a paedobaptist who totally rejects any and all forms of "presumptive regeneration".

2. The second part of his/her statement is fine with me, but of course I would disagree on the "aspects" of the distinction. I stand with Jonathan Edwards of old and John H. Gerstner of late re: the spiritual condition of infants and children regardless whether they were born of professed Christian parents or not. We consider them to be "little vipers in diapers" as the popular phrased attributed to Edwards is clear enough. The "presumption" is that ALL are born dead and are under the wrath of God and thus any hint that they are "Christians" is unwarranted. To be deemed a Christian de facto means the individual has bee regenerated by the Spirit, convicted of their sins, repented of their sins and the world, believed savingly upon Christ and clings tenaciously to His perfect righteousness alone. Albeit much more detail could be included, e.g., sanctification, etc. however there is no other definition of Christian other than the items I have included.

Now, what I believe in regard to the "distinction of the aspects"... The aspects are the means of grace by which God by the Spirit calls the elect to Christ. These Paul calls "the oracles of faith" (Rom 1:16, 3:1,2, 11:1,2, et al). OT Israel were given the law of God and the prophets who taught what God revealed in them. In the Church this hasn't changed. The children of believers have a distinct privilege and advantage over those who are without. They are able to hear the preaching of the Word, to be instructed in the Word by faithful parents and others, and they have the prayers of their parents and the saints that God would have mercy upon the children and call them efficaciously to the Lord Christ and thus be reconciled to God in Him. The vast majority of the Jews of Israel and even more so today perished in unbelief; and a remnant were saved. Moses never presumed that the people were the true "people of God" but rather preached to them to circumcise the foreskins of their hearts Deut 10:16. The Prophets continually warned of God's wrath to come if they did not repent of their sin and turn to God for mercy. Yes, the children of believers are "special", they are not like the children of unbelievers but rather they are "holy" (1Cor 7:14), i.e., set apart and given the oracles of God by which salvation comes.

That's my