"What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?" (Romans 3:1.) Paul answers, "Much every way; chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God" (Romans 3:2).

Sarah's teacher drew the sketch illustrated here on the chalkboard. He then turned and asked Sarah's class the following question:

"If we could interview every saved child of God living in our country today and ask him or her, 'Were you saved from Position A (from the Church Visible) or from Position B (from the world -with no previous contact with God's Word and church)?' What percentage do you believe God would have saved from Position A? From Position B?"

What great privilege of outward church and covenant relationship does this example illustrate? To be raised and instructed under God's means of grace is a great blessing. Why?

Water baptism provides a rich encouragement to the individual, in adult baptism, and to both parents and individuals in infant baptism. The truth of God's offer of salvation, His gospel promise, is confirmed in the sign and seal of baptism. This provides a pleading ground and wonderful encouragement to actively pray and use God's means of grace, asking that He would internally fulfill the