A Great Source for a Wesleyan Understanding of Baptism

 Dr. Matt O'Reilly, an elder in the Global Methodist Church, has recently produced a couple of very good video podcasts on his channel, Theology Project, which deal with the sacraments in the Wesleyan tradition.  The first one (which I plan to link after I have the chance to finish viewing it) is an interview with my friend, Dr. Ryan Danker.  That interview focuses on the place of the Eucharist in Wesleyan theology.  -  The one, linked below, is an interview with another friend, Dr. Jonathan Powers, about the place of Baptism in Wesleyan theology.  -  Dr. Powers is a part of the Anglican Church in North America, and he currently teaches at one of my alma maters, Asbury Theological Seminary.  -  This is a  really good interview, and I commend it to all who are a part of the Wesleyan tradition.

One note:  You can pick up Dr. Power's book on Baptism, New Life in the Risen Christ: A Wesleyan Theology of Baptism, here.

Baptismal Regeneration or Evangelical New Birth?

The following passage is taken From the introductory comment of "17. The Marks of the New Birth" in "The Sermons of John Wesley: A Collection for the Christian Journey," edited by Kenneth J. Collins and Jason E. Vickers. In this passage, it is affirmed that Wesley clearly taught baptismal regeneration for those infants who are faithfully baptized. However, he also deals with those who have "sinned away the grace given to them in their baptism." It is the balance of a sacramental theology of baptismal regeneration and an evangelical theology of the new birth. - One does not preclude the other!

"Though Wesley clearly taught that 'our Church supposes all who are baptized in their infancy are at the same time born again ' (S, 1:281), his emphasis in this sermon is elsewhere - not on what they once were, but on what they now are. 'How many are the baptized gluttons and drunkards, the baptized liars and common swearers, the baptized railers and evil-speakers, the baptized whoremongers, thieves, extortioners!' he asked. And even more pointedly Wesley concluded: if 'there is no new birth but in baptism [then this], is to seal you all under damnation, to consign you to hell, without any help, without hope' (O, 1:429)."