Actually, the equation doesn't say that at all.

There are 4 elements, not 3, and the two middle ones are not equated.

A) Physical circumcision only foreshadows B) Heart Circumcision
B) Heart circumcision produces C) Spiritual baptism
C) Spiritual baptism is symbolized by D) Physical Baptism.


B and C are related as two parts of something greater, but not the same
things.
A foreshadows B, B produces C, and C is symbolized (and memorialized) by D.

It's a leap then to conclude A=D.

Redemptive history is stuffed full of God memorializing events so that the
people of God, and the generations to follow them, will remember what He has
done.

B and C are what God has done.
A gives us physical language to describe, talk about, and understand it, D
gives us a means of remembering it.

Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: Chad Richard Bresson [mailto:breusswane@...]
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2004 4:23 PM
To: soundofgrace@...
Subject: Re: [soundofgrace] Re: Covenant theology and baptism - Jack to Chad


> 1.  The connection between physical circumcision and water baptism is
quite indirect.  This connection only comes via the following linkage in the
passage: 1) physical circumcision is emblematic of spiritual/heart
circumcision ("the circumcision of Christ").  2) Spiritual/heart
circumcision has a relationship to spiritual baptism.  3) Spiritual baptism
is depicted in water baptism.  What we have then is the following: physical
circumcision -> spiritual circumcision - spiritual baptism <- water baptism.

The differences in our views is that while you've correctly noted the
connection, it is not indirect, but direct because of the rules of logic.

If A = B and B = C, then A = C.  That's a direct identification or
connection.


Chad Bresson
Xenia, OH

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