In this episode, we address our foundational question for this mini-series: What does baptism have to do with church membership?

Should baptism be a requirement for membership? Are baptism and church membership two distinct commitments, or are they linked in the life of the church? How should Christians think of the connection between the two?

Join us as we explore how Christians can think biblically about the relationship between baptism and church membership, and what Providence will practice moving forward.

Resources

Podcast Episodes

• 138 - Commitments of Church Members
• 139 - Proclaim and Protect, Contribute, Sacraments
• 089 - Infant Baptism (with Kyle McClellan)
• 090 - Believer's Baptism (with Bobby Jamieson)

Written

• Covenantal (presbyterian)
  • Westminster Confession of Faith 28.1
    • “Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace…”
  • Book of Order (Presbyterian Church U.S.A.)
    • G-1.0303 - Church Membership
    • "A faithful member accepts Christ's call to be involved responsibly in the ministry of his Church... A person becomes an active member of the congregation through baptism and profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior."

Connect With Us

• providenceomaha.org | Instagram | Facebook

Email Us

• formation@providenceomaha.org

In this episode, we take a closer look at the claim that church history overwhelmingly supports a paedobaptist view. We find that while it’s true that infant baptism became the predominant practice for many centuries, the historical picture isn’t quite so straightforward.

• What did Christians throughout history believe was happening in infant baptism?
• How did the earliest believers, those in the New Testament era and shortly after, understand infant baptism?
• Can historical evidence alone settle the baptism debate between paedobaptism and credobaptism?

Join us as we explore these questions and key moments in church history to consider whether the historical argument can truly decide the debate.

Resources

• 090 - Believer's Baptism (with Bobby Jamieson)
• 089 - Infant Baptism (with Kyle McClellan)

Connect With Us

• providenceomaha.org | Instagram | Facebook

Email Us

• formation@providenceomaha.org

In this episode, we explore the covenantal argument for baptism.

Throughout Scripture, God makes covenants with His people, and baptism is often viewed as the sign of initiation into that covenant relationship. But how do these two ideas connect? How does a biblical understanding of God’s covenants shape the way we think about baptism?

We’ll argue that, based on our relationship with God under the new covenant, baptism should be administered only to those who profess faith in Christ.

Resources

• 156 - The Comfort of Covenants
• 090 - Believer's Baptism (with Bobby Jamieson)
• 089 - Infant Baptism (with Kyle McClellan)

Connect With Us

• providenceomaha.org | Instagram | Facebook

Email Us

• formation@providenceomaha.org