The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Who is in the Covenant

Is the unbelieving spouse of a believer considered to be in the Covenant? In the OT, did foreign spouses (I guess wives as I cannot recall any foreign husbands)became part of the Covenant at marriage?

I guess the answer is No ; however, they do have some of the privileges as those in the covenant.

Who is in the Covenant?

I believe that everyone who was circumcised or now baptized and their family, children and unbelieving spouses included, belongs to the covenant family.

Although I'm not sure about the unbelieving spouse if they haven't been baptized. But I'm thinking that they are still included in the covenant, because Paul tells the believing spouse to not leave their unbelieving mate. We also understand that the two have become one and so I would think that the whole family would be included in the covenant.

I do believe that there are unbelievers and believers, or the visible and invisible church that all belong to the new covenant.

Dave.

I would agree the answer would be no however the benefits of living with a believer which I believe are many can be discussed. There are benefits from living with the people of God and sharing in their blessings. It gives an unbelieving spouse the opportunity to witness the testimony of a Christian life and be exposed to God's word. This is the picture we get in the Old Testament with those who chose to stay with the Israelites even though they were not necessarily identified as believers.

Louis Berkhof explains this rather well in his Summary of Christian Doctrine.



Wes

I do not know a whole lot about covenant theology other than what I've read on this discussion board. Am I misunderstanding something? Your post is confusing to me. How can an unbeliever be in the covenant? What does that mean. Are you saying that an unbeliever who marries a believer is automatically going to be saved someday?? And that children of a believer are definately going to be saved?? Doesn't that get away from an individual's standing before God for their own life. I certainly don't assume my kids are going to be saved. It's only by God's grace just like in my life. I pray for their salvation daily and will train them in the Lord. But I don't think I can ever say this will "guarantee" their salvation. Isn't that what covenant theology is kind of doing?? ISn't that a bit presumptuous of God's grace?

Janean,

Your questions are typical of those who don't fully understand the nature of the "covenant"; both non-covenantal believers and many of those who embrace covenant theology. Perhaps if you will simply take the Bible's teaching concerning the distinction between the "visible" church and the "invisible" church as a model, it will clear this confusion up.

So, briefly, ALL who are believers are in the "invisible" church; i.e., the true Church of the living God. They have been reconciled to God by grace through faith. This number includes all believers who were, are and will be. And, they ALL belong to the "visible" church on earth as well. Again, this pertains to true believers. Now, the "visible" church includes all who profess to believe on Christ and their children. We say "visible" because it is perceptible to the eye . . . but this does not mean that all who profess faith actually possess faith. In short, a profession doesn't necessarily equate to salvation.

Okay, now to apply this to the idea of the "covenant". There are those who are in the covenant who are actually in covenant with God. These are those who have been justified by grace through faith; the elect who have been effectually called by the Holy Spirit in time. And, there are those who are in the covenant who are outside the covenant because they are yet unregenerate and may never be regenerated. Yet externally they appear to be believers. The important aspect here is relational as opposed to being legal, i.e., it is not based upon justification and reconciliation with God which brings results in a living spiritual relationship with God. Rather, it is an external relationship with the covenant community wherein they share many of the external benefits, e.g., the preaching of the Word, exposure to the godly example of those who are true believers, the prayers of the saints, etc.

The children of believers are included in this external relationship of the covenant and are thus said to be in the visible Church. The matter of salvation is NOT to be confused with this relationship/position as being one and the same. ALL need regeneration; both elect and non-elect. ALL need to repent and believe upon Christ unto justification; both elect and non-elect.

So, summing up, there is an internal relationship to the covenant; those who truly believe on Christ (invisible church), and there is an external relationship to the covenant; those who profess to believe and their children (visible church). The potentially fatal mistake is to presume/assume that unbelieving spouses and/or children of believers are saved and to withhold from them the Gospel; explaining to them that they possess a corrupt nature, are under God's wrath and judgment and their need to repent and believe upon Christ, else they face certain damnation. What is often told to these same individuals is that they must simply, "be obedient to the covenant", which in essence is a form of "synergism" (aka: works righteousness). Their election, and/or regeneration, and/or their conversion (justification) is assumed, which has no biblical basis and the focus is only sanctification.

Hopefully, this might help to clear things up a bit for you. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

Pilgrim,

Where could one find some resources that go more in-depth with covenant theology? ...Not implying that your response wasn't sufficient <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ...just interested in studying the topic a bit deeper. Also, where might I find a respected author/article who holds an opposite view?

One resource that has been VERY helpful to me is a book by Robertson, "Christ of the Covenants". Also Thomas Boston's "A View of the Covenant of Grace".
Lately, I have been concerned with the distortion of covenant theology by the Auburn Avenue "fellows" or the new Pauline Theology debate. It seems to me that they accurately observe the nature of the covenant and the implications for the church but forget the tension between the "already and not yet". Elsewhere this is referenced as "visible vs invisible" church. There is an intent in the covenant that the sign applied really identifies God's people, His elect if you will. But there is also the reality of our fallen world that many receive the sign that are not actually saved. A wrong adjustment to the reality is to adjust the sign to be administered only to those we are SURE are saved (as if we can be). The opposite extreem is to say that all who receive the sign are saved. Somewhere in between is that uncomfortable place of bibilical practice and faith. We obediently apply the sign of the covenant in baptism and in faith trust in Christ and pray that God will make the receiver of that sign a true convert.
Blessings,
M Cannon

tj,

Doing an Advanced Search on The Highway for: "Covenant of Grace" (using the quotes) you see there are several articles for your perusal. For opposing views, you might want to try searching on Monergism.com.