General Discussions

Renewal of Baptismal Covenant

A fourth reason for The Most High’s choice of the Sabbath as a sign of a mutual

belonging relationship is suggested by the fact that the day provides a weekly

renewal of the baptismal covenant (vow). In the NT baptism is not described

in covenantal language, though it fulfils the very function of marking the

entrance of those who believe upon The Most High and His son into his church, the new- covenant community, which is the body of Christ (“we were all baptized into one body”) 1 Cor.2:13).

A reason for the limited use of the OT covenant model in the NT to describe

the relationship of the early Christians to one another and to Maschiac is suggested

by the Roman prohibition of secret societies. For the Romans a covenant

meant an illegal society. Christians, for reasons of prudence, may have avoided

a terminology that raised suspicion of political treason.

Though the distinctive OT covenant terminology is absent in the NT

description of baptism, Although its basic concept is present. This is indicated by the

association of baptism with the Exodus event (I Cor. 10 :1-2) and with circumcision

(Col. 2 :11-13), both of which are clear covenant experiences. In fact, as well stated by one writer; much of the Bible history is covenant history. The fundamentalist_evangelical world has, by and large, failed to grasp the fact that it is the covenant relationship between TMH and His people that binds the Scriptures together.

How is the Sabbath related to the covenant experience of baptism?

Basically in its meaning and function. Baptism is a symbolic re-enactment of

HaMaschiac’s death, burial, and resurrection in the life of his People who enter

into covenant with him by dying to sin and rising into a new moral life

(Rom. 6:3-4).

RISE UP Y’ISRAEL AND WADE IN THE WATER