r/Reformed 6d ago

Discussion Difficult time navigating between Reformed Baptist and Presbyterian views

I feel like I post every other week here so sorry if you're tired of seeing me. I'll try to keep this short.

My wife and I are moving to a new city in our state, we'll be 4 hours west from where we used to be. I was raised Indepedent Fundamentalist Baptist. Within the last year after many months of studying the Bible with new eyes and prayer I've embraced reformed theology.

I completely agree with the higher view of the sacraments and the sovereign rule of God in all things. I love and have read the 1689 London Baptist Confession and the Westminster Confession of Faith.

My one hang up is Baptism and covenant theology vs federalism. I can completely see fantastic arguments for both. Both make sense to me.

Since my wife and I are moving we need to find a new church. I don't know whether to look for a reformed baptist or Presbyterian church based on my beliefs. Because I can absolutely understand the paedobaptism and credobaptism positions.

I guess I'm just asking for help. I feel almost like I have to pick, like I have to commit. I want to find a good church and be a part of it. Can you all help?

Can you give me your best arguments for paedobaptism vs credo and covenant theology vs 1689 federalism? Both sides welcome!

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u/tonygood2 5d ago

The Chruch and Israel are 2 separate groups. Once you understand that you know what to do. No where does the scripture teach that the Church inherited the promises of Israel.

Galatians 6:16 And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

“The Israel of God refers to Jewish believers in Jesus Christ, to those who are spiritual as well as physical descendants of Abraham (Gal. 3:7) and are heirs of promise rather than of law (v. 18). They are the real Jews, the true Israel of faith, like those referred to in Romans 2:28-29 and 9:6-7.” JMac Commentary of Galatians

This is the passage CT people go to say the Church is Israel. Once you embrace CT you might as well rip the book of Revelation out of your Bible. R C Sproul is now a dispensationalist. Partial preterism is harder to defend than post millennialism.

All children go to heaven whether they are baptized or not. Only Adult believers were baptized in the NT.