Feed My Lambs
Virtual Tour (5)
Quotes
You've seen the main chapters summarized. So how does the book read? Here are a few quotes to give you a taste:
[Discussing Matthew 19.13-14] Covenant children are the epitome of the kingdom of God. And the kingdom of God must be understood in new covenant terms. Children of believers are received by Christ as His, notwithstanding all the language elsewhere about the necessity of faith. Covenant children, to the very youngest, are partakers in what the new covenant is all about. If it is correct to say that conversion is necessary for salvation, it is also correct to say that conversion is precisely becoming like a covenant child (Mt. 18:3). (pp. 25-26)
[On whether Jesus was undergoing catechsim in the temple as a needed preparation to partake of Passover, as is frequently claimed.] .... we need only to ask a very simple question: If Jesus' activity in the temple is according to custom (i.e. if it is catechetical preparation), then why don't His parents know where He is? They ought to know very well He is with the elders and teachers gaining instruction! Instead, they are frantic. Thus, the whole story loses all coherence. Jesus' visit to Jerusalem at age 12 simply had nothing to do with catechetical preparation for Passover. (p. 52)
We rightly say to covenant children, "Remember your baptism!" This is to remind them of both their covenant responsibilities and their covenant privileges. But they cannot actually remember their baptism, of course. They were too young. It is actually the sacrament of the Lord's Supper that would cause them to remember their baptism. Participation in it would demonstrate very clearly that they have been initiated into Christ. It would prove to them that their baptism actually meant something. (p. 140)