Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church

Paul continues to build upon the idea already put forth in the preceding verses and even chapters that the governing decree of election is paramount in the revealing of who does and who does not belong to the family of God, whether they be by right of public or previous association either Jew or Gentile. What matters is not former covenant relationship status, but rather that you believe that Jesus is the Messiah. What matters is not external membership, but to receive the Messiah by faith. With regard to this principle of election by grace, we find that there are members of the family of God who are both Jew and Gentiles by birth, and are rightly called "Christian" by right of their being born again of the Holy Spirit, and baptized into the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is what we mean by "one baptism for the remission of sins" - only Christ can wash us, and the Father has within the number of the elect those whom He has yet to call out of every tribe, tongue, and nation. The door then remai