Comments on: Those Afar Off

By: Mike Bull

Mike Bull — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 22:59:34 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement, Seth. Good to be spurred on to finish this book.

By: Seth P

Seth P — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 19:50:55 +0000

Thanks for your work on this topic Mike. I’ve been systematically reading through each of your posts under the baptism tag and although a number of the concepts fly over my head, I’m finding it all very helpful. Ever since a good friend of mine attended a reformed seminary and baptized his daughter, I haven’t been able to stop digging into this topic. Reformed Baptist theology has meaty roots, particularly in the 1689 confession, however it has been parched and had little to offer by way of typology. Paedobaptists have claimed typology as their own but Baptists have a lot more to fall back on here than they realize! You’re filling an important gap in the breadth of the argument. Thanks again Mike and I’m looking forward to your long forthcoming book on the subject. It’ll be easier to follow (and recommend) than 108+ blog posts. Please keep up the good work!

By: Mike Bull

Mike Bull — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:24:52 +0000

Good point. Baptism is public allegiance, a legal testimony, identifying with a better sacrifice.

By: Chris W

Chris W — Tue, 16 Jun 2015 12:20:41 +0000

Since the punishment which the people of Israel were awaiting was the destruction of Jerusalem then the “forgiveness of your sins” language means being RELEASED from the covenant curse upon Israel. It’s strictly Jewish language, hence why every time an equivalent expression (forgiveness/washing away of sins) is used in Acts, it is in reference to Jews.

The key is public identification with Christ. Identification with Christ in Baptism frees you (and your children) from that specific curse. Repenting but not publically submitting to Christ in Baptism would be like 1 Corinthians 3:15 – “If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.”