I promised a post defending infant baptism, so here it is (notice I say defending it; not trying to push it upon anyone else who doesn't hold the same convictions I do). Interestingly, though I embrace infant baptism fully, none of my children were baptized as infants. There's several reasons for that, chief among them … Continue reading Covenant/Infant Baptism
church
Baptism as Initiatory Rite of New Covenant
So, what is baptism? Most evangelicals would say that it's a testimony to our faith or something along those lines. And it is that. But it's more. John Calvin taught that baptism "is the initiatory sign by which we are admitted to the fellowship of the church, that being ingrafted into Christ we may be … Continue reading Baptism as Initiatory Rite of New Covenant
Not All Christians will be Saved
The past few weeks I have had the privilege of being a part of some very good discussions in the Perspectives ACG on the topic of Eternal Security, Apostasy, etc. We've looked at several different ways the passages related to security (i.e. John 6:38-40; John 10:28-29; Romans 8:30; Philippians 1:6) and those which issue warnings … Continue reading Not All Christians will be Saved
Baptism: Water or Spirit?
This past week I had a great discussion (yeah, we'll call it a discussion) about baptism in two separate ACGs (one on Union with Christ and one on Eternal Security). I stated that baptism is the initiatory rite of the New Covenant. Those who are baptized into Christ are members of the New Covenant people … Continue reading Baptism: Water or Spirit?
A Missional Reading of the Letter to Thyatira
The fourth letter is addressed to the church at Thyatira, a city of no great importance. Thyatira was not a political or religious center, nor was it of particular commercial importance. There were, of course, religious temples and Thyatira did participate in commerce, but neither marked Thyatira as in any way unique or of special … Continue reading A Missional Reading of the Letter to Thyatira
God Entranced 