blhowes
Puritan Board Professor
I was thinking about (my understanding of) the reformed view of covenant children. I wanted to make sure I understand it correctly, and also ask a few questions.
I found these statements here:
I was just wondering how reformed churches guide their children into assurance of salvation. I mean, on the one hand, (if I understand it correctly) they're taught that they are in covenant with God from birth, and heirs of eternal life/salvation. On the other hand, they're taught (I presume) not to take that for granted, but to "make their calling and election sure". How is this generally handled? (does that make sense?)
Concerning children of believers who, as it turns out, aren't saved - According to the reformed view, the children of believers who aren't saved, were they still in covenant with God?
Final question, what would you way is the #1 misunderstanding baptists have about the covenant children teaching?
I found these statements here:
According to Calvin the infants of believing parents belong to the church before they are engrafted into its visible membership by baptism. The child of a Christian parent is presumptively a Christian and an heir of eternal life.
Therefore, the promise of covenant relationship meaning what it does, the salvation of such infants is included in the promise: 'I will be a God to you and to your descendants after you' (Gen 17:7). Such children 'do not become the sons of God through baptism; but because, they are heirs of adoption, in virtue of the promise, therefore, the Church admits them to baptism.
Is this generally what's believed by reformed Christians?Therefore, the promise of covenant relationship meaning what it does, the salvation of such infants is included in the promise: 'I will be a God to you and to your descendants after you' (Gen 17:7). Such children 'do not become the sons of God through baptism; but because, they are heirs of adoption, in virtue of the promise, therefore, the Church admits them to baptism.
I was just wondering how reformed churches guide their children into assurance of salvation. I mean, on the one hand, (if I understand it correctly) they're taught that they are in covenant with God from birth, and heirs of eternal life/salvation. On the other hand, they're taught (I presume) not to take that for granted, but to "make their calling and election sure". How is this generally handled? (does that make sense?)
Concerning children of believers who, as it turns out, aren't saved - According to the reformed view, the children of believers who aren't saved, were they still in covenant with God?
Final question, what would you way is the #1 misunderstanding baptists have about the covenant children teaching?
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