For Paedo only; is CoG = Elect?

[Steve Curtis]

Can something be "A" and not "A" at the same time?

Yes, but not in the same relationship.

 

[mgkortus]

Can the covenant of grace be with the elect only and not the Elect only at the same time?

My view: No. The covenant of grace is with only the elect. That is WLC 31, which asks: with whom was the covenant of grace made? The answer: Christ and the elect in Christ.

But it is still necessary to explain the whole matter of reprobate children of believers, especially in light of the fact that they receive the sign of the covenant: baptism. Such individuals grow up in the sphere of the covenant community. They even taste the love within that community. But they are not members of the covenant of grace. This is analogous to the nation of Israel in the OT. There were many who lived in Israel—within the national boundaries—that were not spiritual Israel.

All of these distinctions are theologians' efforts to explain the 'problem' of the reprobate children of believers. But what needs to be emphasized, in my view, is that election governs membership in the covenant of grace. Because as has been said in this thread, membership in the covenant of grace is a matter of salvation.

 

[mgkortus]

Did Jesus die on the cross for all in the covenant of grace?

This question hinges on what you mean by the word "in." If you mean: members of the covenant of grace; then, yes, Christ died for all who are members of the covenant of grace, for they are the elect.

If you mean "in" in the sense of "in the sphere of;" then, no.

 

[Scott Bushey]

Ch 28 OF THE WCF says:

I. Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible Church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life: which sacrament is, by Christ’s own appointment, to be continued in his Church until the end of the world.

Larger cat:

Q. 34. How was the covenant of grace administered under the Old Testament?
A. The covenant of grace was administered under the Old Testament, by promises, prophecies, sacrifices, circumcision, the passover, and other types and ordinances, which did all foresignify Christ then to come, and were for that time sufficient to build up the elect in faith in the promised messiah, by whom they then had full remission of sin, and eternal salvation.

Q. 35. How is the covenant of grace administered under the New Testament?
A. Under the New Testament, when Christ the substance was exhibited, the same covenant of grace was and still is to be administered in the preaching of the word, and the administration of the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper; in which grace and salvation are held forth in more fullness, evidence, and efficacy, to all nations.

CHURCH ORDER OF DORDT:

56. God’s covenant shall be sealed for the children of Christians by baptism as soon as its administration can take place, and that in a public meeting when God’s word is preached. But in places where few preaching services are held a certain day of the week shall be set aside to administer baptism extraordinarily. Nevertheless, this shall not take place without a sermon being preached.

HEIDELBERG:

Question 74
Are infants also to be baptized?
Answer 74
Yes: for since they, as well as the adult, are included in the covenant and church of God; (Genesis 17:7) and since redemption from sin (Matthew 19:14) by the blood of Christ, and the Holy Ghost, the author of faith, is promised to them no less than to the adult; (Luke 1:15; Psalms 22:10; Isaiah 44:1-3; Acts 2:39) they must therefore by baptism, as a sign of the covenant, be also admitted into the christian church; and be distinguished from the children of unbelievers (Acts 10:47) as was done in the old covenant or testament by circumcision, (Genesis 17:14) instead of which baptism is instituted (Colossians 2:11-13) in the new covenant.

The reprobate child is still sealed-sadly unto condemnation.