New Testament

The New Testament recounts several occasions on which whole households were baptized (Acts 16:15, 30–34; 1 Cor. 1:16). Were children, and particularly infants, among those who received the sign and seal of the covenant? I plan to address this question from two angles. First of all (and briefly), I will demonstrate that the narratives themselves do not rule out the possibility. Secondly, I will present historical evidence for households in the Graeco-Roman world that suggests that the first readers of these narratives would have assumed the inclusion of children in these household baptisms. Consequently, I will argue that—if infant baptism were contrary to God’s design and desire—their exclusion would have needed to be explicitly marked. In this case, the silence speaks louder than words.

So what is the position of our Lord Jesus with respect to children? Is there any support in the gospels for the position that also today children are included in the new covenant? Can we learn anything here that helps us with questions about baptism and how we should view our children?

Are the rest of the New Testament books supportive of the belief that your kids are in the covenant? Texts like Acts 2:39, 1 Cor. 7:14, and Eph. 6:1-4 will be discussed and brought to bear on the larger discussion.

Shortly after the miracle of feeding the 5000 Jesus’ disciples stood at a crossroads. Would they continue to follow the Lord or leave like others had done (John 6:66)? Peter fervently declares he will stay because Jesus Christ has the “words of eternal life.” What are these words? Why do we need them?

The gospel that Jesus rose from the dead is still as shocking as ever, and it’s a gospel that changes our lives.

A Meditation on Mark 6: 45-52

A chapel meditation on 2 Timothy 2:3: Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

When a group of Greeks ask to see Jesus, Jesus concludes that it’s time for him to be glorified.

A meditation on Acts 4:24-31.

A meditation on Luke 15.

Rev. Eric Watkins, pastor and church planter at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, FL, uses the model of Hebrews 11 to illustrate that the saints of the Old Testament played out the drama of redemption which would be fulfilled in Christ, and that the church of today is called to do the same.

Christ, the victorious general, is celebrating his glorious triumph… but where are we?