REBAP Luzon: An Open Letter on Covenant Theology

REFORMED BAPTIST ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES IN LUZON

An Open Letter on Covenant Theology

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Reformed Baptist Association of Churches in Luzon (REBAP LUZON) writes this open letter to bring clarity and promote unity concerning an issue that has prompted questions among some of our member churches and subscribers to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith-namely, the relationship between Classical Covenant Theology and 1689 Federalism Covenant Theology.

It has come to our attention that some have assumed these two covenantal frameworks to be inherently at odds with one another, and that this perceived tension has, at times, caused uncertainty or division among those who sincerely desire to be faithful to Scripture and the Reformed Baptist confessional heritage. We therefore believe it is both timely and pastorally necessary to offer clarification.

We acknowledge and affirm the following:

1. The Reformed Baptist Association of Churches in Luzon formally acknowledges that within our Association there exists two covenant theological expressions:
a. Classical Covenant Theology
b. 1689 Federalism Covenant Theology

2. We affirm that both frameworks seek to articulate the unity of redemptive history, the centrality of Christ, and the outworking of God's covenantal purposes as revealed in Holy Scripture.

3. The Association recognizes that Classical Covenant Theology and 1689 Federalism differ in their formulations particularly in how they articulate the covenant of grace and its administration across redemptive history. We treat all sides as standing within the range of covenantal interpretation that can be held with a Reformed Baptist persuasion.

4. Subscription to the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith does not require uniformity in every aspect of covenant-theological formulation.

5. Our shared commitments to the authority of Scripture, the gospel of grace, and the lordship of Christ-far outweigh secondary differences in theological formulation.

A Pastoral Exhortation and Commitment

We exhort our member churches, pastors, and 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith subscribers to engage one another with patience and brotherly love. As an association of churches, we will concentrate on those matters we are agreed upon. We pledge to join our efforts to help bring about reformation of churches.

With gratitude for God's grace among us,

The Members of Reformed Baptist Churches in Luzon
Christ Heritage Church
Christ Redeemed Church
Congregation of Jesus Christ Church
Cubao Reformed Baptist Church
First Reformed Baptist Church of Valenzuela
God's Providence Baptist Church -Tondo
Grace Baptist Church of Los Baños
Grace Reformed Baptist Church of Calauag
Lumban Reformed Baptist Church
Providence Reformed Baptist Church of Tayabas
Redeemed by Grace Baptist Church
Reformed Baptist Church of Malabon
Scripture Alone Baptist Church
Sovereign Grace Christian Church of San Pedro
Trinity Neighborhood Church
Valley View Baptist Church