Does baptism actually do something? John Wesley says YES! with Jonathan Powers

What did John Wesley really believe about baptism? In this episode, Dr. Matt O’Reilly sits down with Dr. Jonathan Powers of Asbury Theological Seminary to explore Wesley’s "Treatise on Baptism" and his deeply sacramental understanding of this sacred act.

Together, they unpack why Wesley believed baptism is a means of grace—not merely a symbol—and how it relates to new birth and discipleship in as a member of the new covenant. Along the way, they charitably contrast the Wesleyan/Methodist view with believer’s baptism (credobaptism) and discuss why Wesley still baptized infants as an expression of God’s prevenient grace.

If you’ve ever wondered how baptism fits into salvation, or what it means to say it’s a means of grace, this conversation will help you think more deeply about water, Spirit, and faith in the Wesleyan tradition.

BUY Jonathan's new book: New Life in the Risen Christ: A Wesleyan Theology of Baptism https://amzn.to/46Xr6R7

READ Wesley's Treatise on Baptism: https://www.whdl.org/sites/default/files/resource/7387091/pp.%20188-201%20%28A%20treatise%20on%20baptism%29.pdf?language=en

WATCH my conversation with Ryan Danker on Wesley's view of the Lord's Supper: https://youtu.be/Ob4FEPsKpMw?si=MHGghZriNQjKf974

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Music: "Steps" by Anno Domini Beats - Used with permission.

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