Keywords

covenant theology, Christian sacraments, baptismal covenant

Abstract

Whereas Mormon theology and scripture understands baptism as the witnessing of a covenant to follow Christ, a survey of Christian tradition shows that the early Christian writers did not link their understanding of covenant with baptism. Historical reasons for the de-emphasis of covenant language in the Roman period are identified, before it picked up again in baptismal settings after the fourth century. Extensive discussion of covenant theology emerged later between the reformers. Calvin, Luther, and Zwingli are considered, but Bullinger has the most to say on the link between ordinances and covenants in a way that would make sense for Mormons.

Original Publication Citation

“Traditional Christian Sacraments and Covenants,” Bryson L. Bachman co-author, in Forerunners of the Restoration, Sidney B. Sperry Symposium, Deseret Book, SLC, 2004, 24–39.