Romans 3:1-2 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? 2 Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God.
Being a visible part of the covenant has a lot of benefits.
For example, in the time of Christ, being born Jew came with a lot of benefits. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 3, after saying that both Jews and Gentiles are sinners without excuse under the judgment of God and therefore both need to repent, answers a question. If being a Jew didn’t mean one was automatically saved than what benefit was it? What benefit was it to be circumcised?
In our day, we might ask the same question. What benefit is it to be baptized as a baby or what benefit is it to be a kid raised in a Christian home? Is there a benefit in being a part of the covenant community? And the answer is yes.
Here is a partial list of the benefits given to covenant children:
1. Hear the Promises Proclaimed-
Acts 2:38-39 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
The Apostle Peter proclaimed to the men of Jerusalem that even though they had crucified Christ that if they repented the promise, in this case the promise of the Holy Spirit which is the down payment of all the promises, would be for them and their children.
The promised offered to the parents is offered to the children. God has promised to be a God to you and your household. Those in the covenant community hear that God is a refuse, that He promises to never leave his people, that He never forsakes His people, and that He is faithful and just to forgive sins. He promises that all those who believe in him that even if they die they will live. He promises the Holy Spirit to live with and guide those who are His. He promises the Holy Spirit to enable you to resist temptation. He promises to be our shield and defender.
Children of believers get access to the promises. They get to hear the proclaimed at church each week when the pastor pronounces absolution to those who repent and believe. They get to hear the promises sung when we sing "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. "
They scripture read like 2 Corinthians 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
How many promises are in Jesus.? As many are the promises of God. And they are yes. God is always speaking yes to his children. He is a God that loves to say yes to His children. God’s promises to His people are good. Even when he withholds things, it is only because He is giving better things. These promises are held out to covenant children every Sunday. The parents teach the promises. Even though your parents are sinners and they may let you down, every promise they do keep is a reminder that God keeps all of his.
2. See the sacraments administered- The sacraments are a tactile sensory way of receiving the promises. In every baptism, not only is the individual being baptised being offered promises by God, the whole church participates in the promises. We are reminded with the washing of the water that God delivers his people through judgment, washes away their sins, calls them to be His children, places them in the Church, and anoints them for kingdom work. Every time the church observes a baptism, they participate anew in the promises which are theirs if they receive it by faith. Covenant children receive that sign and observe it in others.
In the Lord's Supper, the promises and warnings appropriate to it as a sacrament are held out each week in worship. There is a constant call to faith and self examination. It is a visible proclamation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Covenant children get to observe and are taught its meaning each week.
3. Entrusted with the Word of God- In our day, this has never been more so. Covenant children have constant access to the law of God which is more valuable than fine gold. The Church they are a part of has been entrusted to preserve this word, live by this word, and teach it. What a great blessing to have oracles of God!
4. Receive Sounding Teaching - Covenant children are taught from birth the commands of God. They receive instruction from their parents, from their pastors, from elders, and from other godly men and women in the church.
5. Surrounded by godly examples- Covenant children have a great cloud of witnesses surrounding them. Whether from the saints who have gone on before or from others in the covenant community.
6. They are Prayed For- Covenant children are prayed for by their parents, by their pastors, and even better Jesus Christ prayed for His church.
7. Feel the Discipline of Parents and the Church- Covenant children are loved by their parents who do not withhold the rod. Discipline is painful but scripture teaches that it brings life.
8. Experience the Love and Fellowship of God’s People- There is no sweeter fellowship on earth.
9. Observe Forgiveness being Given- Covenant children see sinners being forgiven and sinners forgiving others. They are surrounded by a community of grace.
10. Given Good Tradition- They get the benefits of good tradition passed down from generations. They aren't rootless and fatherless. They are rooted with many fathers to honor.
11. Protected from the Worst of the World.- Covenant children are protected from the worst of the world. They aren't left unsheltered to care for themselves. Rather they are given protection from abusers, the sexual immoral, and other wickedness.
12. Warned about the Wrath of God- Covenant children are warned to flee the wrath of God. Jesus first went to the Jew to warn them to flee. God's people are the first to receive the warnings.
This is just a short and impartial list of benefits. I am sure you can add more. But here are two final points of application:
A. "With much power comes much responsibility"- Uncle Ben. Or better yet scripture says "To whom much is given much is expected." With these man blessings there is a great responsibility. Covenant children have the responsibility to make the best use of these gifts by receiving them all by faith. They must believe in Jesus. Faith is the instrument in which they can turn these gifts to real and eternal profit. Otherwise these same gifts may be to them a curse.
B. Parents and Churches need to make sure that they work to provide these blessings to those under their charge.
Being a visible part of the covenant has a lot of benefits.
For example, in the time of Christ, being born Jew came with a lot of benefits. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 3, after saying that both Jews and Gentiles are sinners without excuse under the judgment of God and therefore both need to repent, answers a question. If being a Jew didn’t mean one was automatically saved than what benefit was it? What benefit was it to be circumcised?
In our day, we might ask the same question. What benefit is it to be baptized as a baby or what benefit is it to be a kid raised in a Christian home? Is there a benefit in being a part of the covenant community? And the answer is yes.
Here is a partial list of the benefits given to covenant children:
1. Hear the Promises Proclaimed-
Acts 2:38-39 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
The Apostle Peter proclaimed to the men of Jerusalem that even though they had crucified Christ that if they repented the promise, in this case the promise of the Holy Spirit which is the down payment of all the promises, would be for them and their children.
The promised offered to the parents is offered to the children. God has promised to be a God to you and your household. Those in the covenant community hear that God is a refuse, that He promises to never leave his people, that He never forsakes His people, and that He is faithful and just to forgive sins. He promises that all those who believe in him that even if they die they will live. He promises the Holy Spirit to live with and guide those who are His. He promises the Holy Spirit to enable you to resist temptation. He promises to be our shield and defender.
Children of believers get access to the promises. They get to hear the proclaimed at church each week when the pastor pronounces absolution to those who repent and believe. They get to hear the promises sung when we sing "Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. "
They scripture read like 2 Corinthians 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
How many promises are in Jesus.? As many are the promises of God. And they are yes. God is always speaking yes to his children. He is a God that loves to say yes to His children. God’s promises to His people are good. Even when he withholds things, it is only because He is giving better things. These promises are held out to covenant children every Sunday. The parents teach the promises. Even though your parents are sinners and they may let you down, every promise they do keep is a reminder that God keeps all of his.
2. See the sacraments administered- The sacraments are a tactile sensory way of receiving the promises. In every baptism, not only is the individual being baptised being offered promises by God, the whole church participates in the promises. We are reminded with the washing of the water that God delivers his people through judgment, washes away their sins, calls them to be His children, places them in the Church, and anoints them for kingdom work. Every time the church observes a baptism, they participate anew in the promises which are theirs if they receive it by faith. Covenant children receive that sign and observe it in others.
In the Lord's Supper, the promises and warnings appropriate to it as a sacrament are held out each week in worship. There is a constant call to faith and self examination. It is a visible proclamation of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Covenant children get to observe and are taught its meaning each week.
3. Entrusted with the Word of God- In our day, this has never been more so. Covenant children have constant access to the law of God which is more valuable than fine gold. The Church they are a part of has been entrusted to preserve this word, live by this word, and teach it. What a great blessing to have oracles of God!
4. Receive Sounding Teaching - Covenant children are taught from birth the commands of God. They receive instruction from their parents, from their pastors, from elders, and from other godly men and women in the church.
5. Surrounded by godly examples- Covenant children have a great cloud of witnesses surrounding them. Whether from the saints who have gone on before or from others in the covenant community.
6. They are Prayed For- Covenant children are prayed for by their parents, by their pastors, and even better Jesus Christ prayed for His church.
7. Feel the Discipline of Parents and the Church- Covenant children are loved by their parents who do not withhold the rod. Discipline is painful but scripture teaches that it brings life.
8. Experience the Love and Fellowship of God’s People- There is no sweeter fellowship on earth.
9. Observe Forgiveness being Given- Covenant children see sinners being forgiven and sinners forgiving others. They are surrounded by a community of grace.
10. Given Good Tradition- They get the benefits of good tradition passed down from generations. They aren't rootless and fatherless. They are rooted with many fathers to honor.
11. Protected from the Worst of the World.- Covenant children are protected from the worst of the world. They aren't left unsheltered to care for themselves. Rather they are given protection from abusers, the sexual immoral, and other wickedness.
12. Warned about the Wrath of God- Covenant children are warned to flee the wrath of God. Jesus first went to the Jew to warn them to flee. God's people are the first to receive the warnings.
This is just a short and impartial list of benefits. I am sure you can add more. But here are two final points of application:
A. "With much power comes much responsibility"- Uncle Ben. Or better yet scripture says "To whom much is given much is expected." With these man blessings there is a great responsibility. Covenant children have the responsibility to make the best use of these gifts by receiving them all by faith. They must believe in Jesus. Faith is the instrument in which they can turn these gifts to real and eternal profit. Otherwise these same gifts may be to them a curse.
B. Parents and Churches need to make sure that they work to provide these blessings to those under their charge.