Relationship Betw. Circumcision/Infant Baptism #1

Driving home: this argument about the analogy or the relationship between baptism and circumcision, it is the hinge, it is the heart, it is the foundation, it's the pillar of the entire Paedo-Baptist perspective and approach.

Martin uses the metaphor of a 'hinge,' 'heart,' 'foundation,' and 'pillar' to describe the critical importance of the circumcision-baptism analogy to the entire Paedo-Baptist argument, emphasizing that their whole perspective rests upon it.

So, first of all, I want to state the Paedo-Baptist argument and perspective with respect to the relationship of baptism and circumcision. And then, secondly, to seek to criticize and to refute that perspective and argument. And I really ought to say something about the importance of dealing with this, because, in reality, this argument about the analogy or the relationship between baptism and circumcision, it is the hinge, it is the heart, it is the foundation, it's the pillar of the entire Paedo-Baptist perspective and approach. So, now, first of all, with respect to a statement of this, I t...

2:33 - 3:18 Read in full sermon

Driving home: if it is true, and if it is to be regulative, it comes home with the same unabateable, irresistible force for the practice of toddler communion, which many of the same dear brethren who presently, who sent this for the i…

Martin uses the analogy of toddler communion to expose a logical inconsistency in the Paedo-Baptist argument. If the circumcision-baptism analogy justifies infant baptism, then the Passover-Lord's Supper analogy should justify toddler communion, which Paedo-Baptists reject without explicit biblical revocation, thus undermining their own method of argumentation.

Infant participation or toddler participation in the covenantal commemorative meal, namely the Passover, was a long-settled institution. The Lord's Supper has replaced the Passover. And toddler participation in the covenant commemorative meal being a long-settled institution, if that's the case, then nothing short of explicit revocation would justify setting it aside. Yet they have set it aside.

24:42 - 25:12 Read in full sermon

In this part of the sermon: Using a graphic illustration, Martin contrasts Old Covenant Israel, marked by physical circumcision, with New Covenant Israel, distinguished by circumcision of the heart. He…

Martin uses a visual aid (presumably a whiteboard or chart) to graphically illustrate the continuity and discontinuity between Abraham's posterity in the Old Covenant (marked by physical circumcision) and the New Covenant (marked by circumcision of the heart), clarifying the shift in the distinguishing trait of God's people.

But now the distinguishing trait of the covenant community, the distinguishing trait of the people of God is that they have the reality which is symbolized and which was symbolized by circumcision. Now let me try to put this in graphic form if I may. I'm going to put this in graphic form. Start with Abraham.

37:36 - 38:02 Read in full sermon