Are you saying that the first centruy Jew (non-disciple of Christ) was not a child of God by birth, a people of God by birth, in their own mind. You have got me a little off guard. I have never been "corrected" on this point before -- and for an old guy, that is saying something. Splain please. John
"Child of God" in the sense that they were the people of God, the chosen ones.
Yes that's what I'm saying. Well actually Jesus said it Himself. The Jews prided themselves because they were the children of Abraham genetically and they thought this would put them over no matter what - but Jesus told them that if they were truly the children of Abraham they would have a different kind of spiritual fruit in their lives. (John 8:39) John the Baptist told them the same thing (Matt 3:9, Luke 3:8). Yes God chose the natural generation of Abraham to work through (by covenant) and He expected a spiritual harvest or spiritual fruit from them - and He still does. judyt
Judy, of course I am speaking of the situation prior to the mission of Christ. And New Covenant is overtaking an Old. I know this. The Jews of the time considered themselves the people of God --- still do. I am not saying that is the way it is today. Rather, this is the view they had of themselves. That is why the repentance baptism preached by John the B for the first time and preached to Jews only, would have had such an impact.
Those who believe that baptism is for the remission of sins, today, believing that we are not saved without nor before this act occurs, miss the point of the command --- a very well considered illustration of the need for all to turn around and come to the Lord.
John
