At school the reformed group passed around a book on paedobaptism. After four others had read the book it was passed to me. Before reading this book I had not read anything in favor of infant baptism, only the opposing view. Bryan Chapell makes a clear explanation of the continuing Abrahamic Covenant. He explains that circumcision was a seal of the covenant that God had made with Abraham and prefigured the shedding of Christ's blood. After Christ died the New Testament believers received a new sign, baptism portrays what Christ accomplished on the cross, the washing away of our sin.
In the time of Abraham all the members of a household were baptized to symbolize the head of the house leading his family in the way of God. Circumcision did not indicate belief since it was applied before a child even had the ability to believe. If baptism is the new sign of the covenant then all of the Jews in the New Testament would automatically baptize all the members of their household because of the tradition that had been in place for many years.
I enjoyed reading the small book for its comprehensive way of presenting the information. I can understand why my parents do not hold to infant baptism, because of their dispensational holdings they view the Bible in a completely different manner.
As far as how I feel about it...I am considering it. I have been studying Galatians 3 and it is very clear that the believers of today are children of Abraham. Jesus Christ is the offspring.
"Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, 'in you shall all the nations be blessed.' So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith."
~Galatians 3:7-9
4 comments:
good evaluation...something definitely to consider...i like your new pic...i like you too....hehee
Good book review, Jana! Very interesting. What really struck me was the stunning photo of the two of you! I want one!!!!!
I loved your previous blog on your visit to the celiac woman's home, where you found out all about it- so happy to see you were encouraged.
See you soon- here! Glad you liked the books!
Cool, good review... It was a good concise book...
btw, this book is a terrific explanation of the Presby-reformed stance... and you already know I'm not opposed to it (shhhh!, lol)
OH... I found this, in passing and thought you'd be interested -- it's a critique of the emerging movement from WITHIN the movement, written by someone that I can tell you IS theologically sound (whew)... very interesting. Would love to hear your thoughts on it.
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