The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Infant salvation

I've answered this question previously when this subject was being discussed. Here is what I wrote then and which I still hold to be true:

Covenant children are to presumed unregenerate until proven otherwise, since they are born in sin and under the wrath of God, no differently than all of mankind. Covenant children are "holy" (1Cor 7:14), i.e, they are truly blessed in that they have been given the privilege of being born into a home where there is at least one believing parent through and by whom the gospel will be heard and used to regenerate them, if it so be God's electing choice to do so in His perfect time. And they are subject to the teaching of righteous living, according to the Scriptures. They also have the privilege of being present in the house of God where believers offer worship, hear the Word of God preached, witness the sacraments, hear the testimonies of godly men, women and children, etc. which are the means of grace given by God to convert sinners to Christ. Covenant children should be expected to make a valid profession of faith before the church when THEY are moved to do so; having been convinced of their own conversion and the necessity of doing so, thereby becoming full members, fellow heirs of Christ, with the Body of Christ.

Romans 9:4, 5 seems to me to describe how the word "holy" is to be understood; i.e., the primary definition used in Scripture of "being separated, separate". And let's not overlook the fact that the unbelieving spouse is likewise deemed "holy" (Grk: agiazo). Paul uses the same word when describing the position of unbelieving spouses as he does for the children that have come by the union of a believing and unbelieving couple. So, whatever one wants to make "holy" mean, it must be applied to both unbelieving spouses and the children.

In His Grace,