Bible Question:
Hey Doc, I was reading over the London Bap. Confession of Faith that you noted. Do you feel that it may be somewhat misleading? Implying that there are non-elect infants as well as elect. Perhaps if it read something like "All infants(whom are elect) dying in infancy... etc, etc. Does the confession define elect in regards to infants in greater detail elsewhere? God Bless, Truthfisher |
Bible Answer: Dear Truthfisher, Addressing your questions within the confines of historic Baptist theology: You asked, "Do I feel that it may be somewhat misleading?" I'm uncertain exactly what you are asking. I suppose if I had cognitively deduced that it was misleading I might react with a subsequent emotion. The term "misleading" has to do with logical propositions. Consequently, my feelings would not be a viable tool for ascertaining their correctness. You asked, "Does the confession define elect in regards to infants in greater detail elsewhere?" No, not explicitly regarding infants. A better question would be regarding the broader idea of who are the elect. Based on the many passages of Scripture using this term, the confession states that God's "just and holy purposes are worked out, so that all that happens to His elect ones is by His appointment, for His glory, and for their good." It states this clearly in, "As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto; wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ, by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only." Baptists understand the Scriptures to assert that if one is elect, then by the certain decree and foreordination of God one will be saved. Conversely, if one is saved then one is numbered among the elect. Therefore, if infants are saved, then they are elect. In Him, Doc |