The Distinctiveness of Baptist Covenant Theology: A Comparison Between Seventeenth-Century Particular Baptist and Paedobaptist Federalism

by Pascal Denault

We have already seen that the Baptist reading of the covenant of grace (one covenant revealed progressively and formally concluded under the new covenant) was explained by the exegesis of Hebrews 8:6: Before the new covenant, the covenant of grace was only revealed; when the new covenant was introduced, it was νενομοθέτηται. This verb is used only twice in the Holy Scriptures: once to speak of the promulgation of the old covenant (Heb. 7:11) and a second time to relate the promulgation of the new covenant (Heb. 8:6). These two covenants were established (νενομοθέτηται) on two completely different foundations. The first was established (νενομοθέτηται) on the Levitical priesthood with the blood of rams and calves (Heb. 9:18–19), whereas the second was founded (νενομοθέτηται) on an eternal priesthood in accordance with the order of Melchizedek and with the very blood of Christ (Heb. 9:12). How could two covenants with such different foundations have the same substance?