Gateway Podcast: Episode 15

You can listen to or watch Gateway Podcast Episode 15 here.

Questions addressed in this episode:

(NOTE: Timestamps are for video version only.)

Citing Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology, please state Gateway Church's stance on the questions found in the second paragraph on page 979: "What does baptism do? What does it actually accomplish? What benefit does it bring?” (8:45)

In a number of books by younger new authors I have recently been reviewing, there seems to be a bent toward saying everyone is God's child. Something about this doesn't sit right with me. Yes, we are all created by God to reflect Him, but I think Scripture is clear you are not automatically a child of God, you must enter into a relationship with Him through belief in the work Jesus did on the cross. These authors are equalizing "all are made by Him" with "all are His children." It seems this "we are all God's children" idea is being used to create a more politically correct book. I would love your thoughts. (15:50)

Last podcast talked a lot about the covenant of baptism which I found extremely helpful! Reading through Deuteronomy and in the last 1/3 or so of the book, Moses talks about blessings and curses for the Israelites. Do this and God will bless you, do that and you will be cursed. Is this a covenant as well? And if so can you explain how this differs from the new covenant we’re under that doesn’t seem to include the “if this then that” type of different options? (19:30)

Ok so Paul says a person has to be baptized and born again. However how does one rectify this claim when Jesus told the other criminal in the cross with him that he would see him in heaven? Surely, this criminal was never saved and it is highly doubtful he was baptized. (24:45)

I completely understand the stance that Gateway has on infant baptism, and know that it’s not something to get hung up on and tear apart the congregation. However, so I can understand, can you point out scripture that talks about infant baptism? (29:30)