For centuries Christians have discussed who is and isn’t part of the new covenant community. On one side of the debate have been covenant theologians and on the other side are dispensationalists of various kinds. My article, “Counting Stars with Abraham and the Prophets: New Covenant Ecclesiology in OT Perspective,” offers a middle way seeking to bring clarity to this important issue. My conclusion is as follows:
Today—whether Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free, males or females—all become “offspring” of Christ and then of Abraham (Isa 53:10; Gal 3:28–29) only through union with Jesus by faith. The NT knows no new covenant community apart from this relationship; and, therefore, the church should apply the new covenant sign of baptism only to those who are reborn through faith in Christ. It is those in Christ who are “sons of God,” those who have put on Christ who are baptized, and those who are Christ’s who are counted “Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Gal 3:26–27, 29; cf. Rom 6:1–4; 1 Pet 3:21).
To read the full article and see the glory of Christ in ways that you’ve maybe never considered, click on this PDF.
