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."

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• 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

What is baptism? This episode seeks to dive into the different views on baptism in Christianity, and then highlight the reformed view we believe at Providence Church. The goal of this episode is to help you understand the different views as well as have humility and charity towards other Christian views.

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 continue our posture of discovery, tracing the theme of water throughout the New Testament to shape our understanding of baptism today. Rather than ending with a concrete definition, we’ll reflect on key moments that provide more insight into what baptism is specifically as we see it in the New Testament. We talk about hard questions like, "Does baptism save you?" and "Should an entire household be baptized if the leader of the household comes to faith?"

Whether you're new to the Bible or a seasoned theologian, join us as we dive into the story.

Resources

• 174 - Acts (podcast)
• 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 continue our posture of discovery, tracing the theme of water throughout the Gospels to shape our understanding of baptism today. Rather than ending with a concrete definition, we’ll reflect on key moments that provide more insight into what baptism is specifically as we see it in the gospels. Whether you're new to the Bible or a seasoned theologian, join us as we dive into the story.

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

What if baptism didn’t begin in the New Testament? What if the waters of creation, the flood, the Red Sea, the Jordan River, and more have been telling a deeper story all along?

In this episode, we take a posture of discovery, tracing the theme of water throughout the Old Testament to discover how the Old Testament shapes our understanding of baptism today. Rather than ending with a concrete definition, we’ll reflect on key moments where water appears in Scripture, allowing them to reveal what we know today as baptism.

From chaos to cleansing, from judgment to new creation, we’ll explore how God has been using water as a symbol of transformation since the beginning. Whether you're new to the Bible or a seasoned theologian, join us as we dive into the story.

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

When various churches focus on the infant (infant baptism, baby dedication, and so on), why does Providence instead focus on commissioning the parents? This episode seeks to explain Parent Commissioning at Providence—what it is, who it’s for, why we do it, and how it impacts the church.

RESOURCES

• Knowing God Podcast, Episode 41 (infant baptism)
• 089 - Infant Baptism (with Kyle McClellan)
• 090 - Believer's Baptism (with Bobby Jamieson)
• Membership at Providence

Connect With Us

• providenceomaha.org | Instagram | Facebook

Email Us

• formation@providenceomaha.org