The Gospel, Freedom, and the Sacraments: Did the Reformers Go Far Enough?

by Barry Charles Newman, John W. Woodhouse (Foreword by)

Overview

To be baptized, particularly as an adult, indicating a radical change from the self-directed life to the life to be lived under the lordship of Jesus Christ, must be one of the most dramatic experiences available to us. To take part in the Lord's Supper--remembering his death for us--must be one of the most moving services in which we could ever participate. But are these ceremonies obligatory for the believer? Did Jesus explicitly or implicitly make them mandatory? Does it not seem somewhat strange that the gospel, by which we are freed from the Law of Moses, demands that we abide by two new ceremonial laws? However greatly they differed from one another, did the reformers go far enough in examining the Scriptures to see what they did indeed say about such ceremonies? Have we written back into our understanding of Scripture that so much underlies our present beliefs and practices? Does an examination of what the early fathers thought help or hinder us in our search for the truth?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781498237451
Publisher:	Wipf & Stock Publishers
Publication date:	01/07/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	372
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Barry C. Newman lectured in science education at the University of New South Wales, retiring as Head of the School of Teacher Education and Director of the Board of Studies in Professional Studies. While having an interdenominational ministry, he has been a lay preacher in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney since his youth. He has served on the councils of Moore Theological College and the Australian College of Theology. He is married to Laurie and has five daughters.

Table of Contents

Foreword John W. Woodhouse vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgements xi

Introduction xiii

Abbreviations xvii

Part 1 Law and Freedom

Day 1 The Conscientious Believer 3

Day 2 The Role of Law in the Life of a Believer 10

Day 3 The Galatian Problem 17

Day 4 Slavery, Freedom and Life in the Spirit 23

Part 2 Baptism

Day 5 Baptismal Practices and Beliefs Today 33

Day 6 Baptismal Practices in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles 42

Day 7 Baptismal Words as used Outside of the New Testament 55

Day 8 "Βαπτισμα" in the New Testament 69

Day 9 "Βαπτιζω in the New Testament 79

Day 10 Matthew 28:18-20 93

Day 11 More on Matthew 28:18-20 100

Day 12 The Conclusion to Matthew 28: 18-20 111

Day 13 Objections Considered 117

Day 14 More Objections Considered 129

Day 15 Decision Day 139

Part 3 The Lord's Supper

Day 16 What they Call it, what they Believe and what they Do 147

Day 17 The Last Passover Meal 153

Day 18 "This Do in Remembrance of Me" 161

Day 19 "You are Doing This in Remembrance of Me" 172

Day 20 The Last Passover Meal in John and the Lord's Supper in Hebrews 183

Day 21 Bread and the Breaking of Bread 191

Day 22 The Lords Supper in the Acts of the Apostles 203

Day 23 Agape Meals 217

Day 24 Corinthian Meals-The Cup of Blessing which we Bless 227

Day 25 Corinthian Meals-The Table of the Lord 241

Day 26 Corinthian Meals-The Cup of the Lord 252

Day 27 Corinthian Meals-the Markets and being a Guest at a Meal 266

Day 28 Corinthian Meals-Corinthian Behavior 271

Day 29 Corinthian Meals-the Lord's Supper 282

Day 30 Corinthian meals-the Last Passover Meal 291

Day 31 Corinthian Meals-the Last Passover Meal-Consequences for the Corinthians 301

Day 32 The Lord's Supper-Final Considerations 309

Part 4 The Gospel and the Sacraments

Day 33 The Gospel in the New Testament 321

Day 34 Implications for the Proclamation of the Gospel 338

Bibliography 347