Federalism in Baptism: Insights and Differences

Covenant Baptist Theology, also known as Federalism, highlights the significance of federal heads within biblical covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant had Abraham as its federal head, the Mosaic Covenant had Moses, and the New Covenant has the Lord Jesus Christ. This understanding is foundational to the book of Hebrews, as well as Romans and Ephesians. There exist various views on Covenant Theology even among Baptists, with a primary distinction between some Baptists and Presbyterian brethren concerning the nature of the New Covenant. Some Presbyterians see one covenant with two administrations, but the New Covenant is truly new, flowing from the covenant of redemption. The Old Testament saints were saved by faith, trusting in God’s promise of a better day.

The faithful of the Old Testament, as noted in Hebrews 11:13-16, died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from afar and embraced them, desiring a heavenly country. Hebrews 11:39-40 affirms that these saints, though obtaining a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise because God had provided something better for us. The recurring theme in Hebrews is the superiority of what is brought by Christ, as emphasized by the word “better.” Old Testament sacrifices could never take away sin, as Hebrews 10:1 declares that the law was a shadow of the good things to come, incapable of making its adherents perfect. The term “shadow” signifies that these sacrifices pointed to a greater reality. If they had been effective in removing sin, they would not have been continually offered; rather, they served as reminders of sin. The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin. Hebrews 10:5-7, quoting Psalm 40, declares that God did not desire sacrifices and offerings but prepared a body for Christ to fulfill His will. Hebrews 10:9 states that He takes away the first to establish the second, and verse 10 confirms that believers have been sanctified through Christ’s offering once for all.

The Day of Atonement was an annual national cleansing rather than individual atonement. Hebrews contrasts the frequent sacrifices of the Old Testament with Christ’s singular, effective sacrifice. Christ entered not an earthly temple but heaven itself to appear before God for us. He did not offer Himself repeatedly as the high priest did annually, but at the end of the ages, He appeared once to put away sin by His sacrifice. As it is appointed for men to die once and then face judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, fulfilling Isaiah 53’s prophecy of the suffering servant. In Christ, our federal head, we are cleansed from all sin. The Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants are seen as covenants of works, having stipulations, blessings, and cursings.

The Abrahamic Covenant is most akin to the New Covenant because of its emphasis on faith, yet it included circumcision as a sign. Genesis outlines the command for circumcision as the covenant sign. Unlike the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, the Davidic Covenant lacks a clear sign and federal head like Abraham or Moses. Instead, it points directly to Christ, the true and eternal King. The Davidic Covenant’s promise of an everlasting kingdom finds its fulfillment in Jesus, whose reign is eternal. While David is a symbol of the Messiah, Christ is the fulfillment. The Davidic Covenant focuses on a singular direction toward Christ, compared to the large populations associated with other covenants.

Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcised. Romans 4 argues that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness prior to his circumcision, demonstrating that salvation has always been by faith. Genesis 15:6 affirms this truth, showing that righteousness came through belief in God’s promise. The Mosaic Covenant had the Ten Commandments and the law as its sign.

The New Covenant, based on the covenant of redemption, brings unparalleled blessings. Justification comes through Christ’s sacrifice. The old covenant obsolete. Hebrews affirms that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. Romans 5:1-2 assures believers of peace with God through faith, and the same writer declares there is no condemnation for those in Christ.

The supreme blessing of the New Covenant is the consummation of the new heavens and new earth, where believers will see the glory of God in the face of Christ. Psalm 16:11 speaks of the fullness of joy in God’s presence. The intermediate state is temporary as believers await their glorified bodies and the final fulfillment of God’s promises. The covenant of redemption between God and Christ is distinct from the New Covenant. As Charles Hodge notes, Christ is both a party in the covenant of redemption and the mediator of the New Covenant. In conclusion, these theological truths should lead to a deep appreciation of God’s redemptive work, stirring believers to live in obedience and hope, anticipating the glorious fulfillment of all His promises. May God grant understanding and application of these truths as His people seek to live faithfully in the present age.