Category: Reconnect Podcast

75. A Different Kind of Baptism

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holy-spiritScripture mentions John’s baptism, Jesus’ baptism, baptism of water, baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, baptism by fire, and baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Some of these descriptions are just different ways of describing the same type of baptism, and certainly most Christians would agree with this.

One particular denomination, the Assemblies of God, hold specific teachings about Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Their denomination confesses that Baptism in the Holy Spirit is distinct and separate for water baptism and the new birth of a believer.  This baptism is the bestwoal of the Holy Spirit upon a believer that gives the believer certain spiritual gifts and a boldness to share the Gospel and an overflowing joy, or sense of the Spirit’s presence.  This baptism according to the Assemblies of God is recognized by the physical sign of speaking in tongues.  So if you haven’t spoken in tongues, it would mean you haven’t been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Andy lays out what he thinks is the proper Scriptural understanding of Baptism in the Holy Spirit to Jonathan Bennett and Jonathan Pratt.  This is a type of baptism that many Christians circles typically associate with water baptism (washing in the name of the Triune Lord) or the moment a person’s conversion.  Andy however sees something entirely different from the Assemblies of God and most other Christian groups!

To present his understanding of what he calls, Spirit-Baptism, for short, Andy answers the following two questions:

1.  Is there a difference between having the Holy Spirit and the filling of the Holy Spirit?

2.  Is there a difference between having been baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and having been baptized in the Holy Spirit?

Check the Scriptures used in this episode and see what you think.  Is Andy properly interpreting Scripture?

Show Links:

Spirit-Baptism by Andy Wrasman

Contradict – They Can’t All Be True by Andy Wrasman

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74. A Different Kind of Election

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The presidential election for 2016 is over!

So it’s time to talk about a different kind of election, the election of sinners by God to salvation. Andy shares the five points of Calvinism and Arminianism, the two common theological systems that are debated and compared when discussing God’s role in salvation.  But then the curveball comes, the Lutheran position on election is presented, a position which rarely discussed in the predestination debate among Christians.  The Lutheran understanding of single-predestination is by far a different election from Calvin’s double-predestination.

Some show notes:

Five Points of Calvinism

T – otal Depravity
U – nconditional Election
L – imited Atonement
I – irresistible Grace
P – reservation of the Saints

Five Points of Arminianism

  1. Free-will, human-ability
  2. Conditional Election (Election is Foreknowledge)
  3. General Atonement (Objective Justification)
  4. The Holy Spirit can be resisted.
  5. Falling from Grace

Lutherans hold to 1.5 points of Calvinism and 3 Points of Arminianism–

Total Depravity and Predestination for Salvation
General Atonement, Grace is Resistible, and Falling from Faith

We are saved by grace through faith.  

John 3:16
Ephesians 2:8-9
Romans 4:5

Faith is not our work but the work of the Holy Spirit.

Titus 3:5

1 Corinthians 12:3
John 1:13
Ephesians 2:8-9
Ephesians 2:5 “God makes us alive.”
Romans 9:16
John 6:29

We are incapable of deciding to have faith.

1 Corinthians 12:3
Ephesians 2:1 “We are dead in our sins and trespasses.”
John 1:13
John 6:441 Corinthians 2:14 “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

Any verse about being born again indicates this also, for what role do we play in our natural birth?  None!

Since faith is purely a gift of God and we play no role in our conversion, then it could be assumed that God then chooses who will be saved, and also chooses who will not be saved.

Here’s what Scripture says on the matter:

God elects/predestines to salvation!

Ephesians 1:3-13, 4:3-5
John 1:13
Ephesians 2:4-5 “God made us alive (spiritually).
Romans 8:29-30
2 Timothy 1:8-9

It is the will of God that no man should perish!

1 Timothy 1:3-4
2 Peter 3:8-9

 

 

 

 

 

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73. Veterans Day – Eclectic Bullet

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Andy is ranting solo for this episode of Reconnect.

This episode was released on Sunday, earlier than the typical Tuesday release.  The Friday of the release week is Veterans Day, so Andy shares some thoughts on Christian vocation and quotes from Martin Luther to illustrate how soldiers are loving God and their neighbors through their calling in the military.

The rest of the episode is an eclectic bullet that covers the following topics, fit for Election Week:

10 questions Andy received that are to be answered by a pro-life candidate running for federal office

The damaging consequences of homosexuality and why the government shouldn’t approve gay marriage

Health Care is a commodity not a right.
Ben Carson Quote

Students at Berkley protesting for spaces on campus that are to only be for students of color and students who are LGBTQAZB+ and how they kept white students from entering the campus – No Liberal, Social Justice Warrior outrage – WHY?

There is only one race – the Human Race!

Trey Gowdy  – “I hate relativism!”

The Gospel – Christ died for all sins!

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72. Jesus is Pro-Life!

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jesus-is-prolife
Jesus said that he came to give life and to give it to the full.  He also said that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) It should be pretty obvious which side of the abortion debate Jesus stands and which side the devil hides.

In this episode, James Conrad shares his family’s personal experiences with multiple abortions and the tragic aftermath that these murders have left for the survivors.  The good that has arisen from these horrendous loses of lives is that James’ mother started a pro-life activism group who has fought relentlessly for the rights and lives of the unborn.

James shares why all lives matter and why everyone has equal rights to life and how abortions are very harmful to women.  He also responds to the argument that abortions should be legal to save the life of the mother and gives some important advice on responding to several political questions that pro-life advocates often times encounter.

Show Links:

Elliot Institute’s Fact Sheets – Check out the one’s on how harmful abortions are for women.

Does Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions? – Check out the free brochure download!

Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust

Recall Abortion by Janet Morana (Book James recommended)

Live Action Youtube Channel (James mentions their videos)

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71. Christians Voting For Trump – How and Why?

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christians-for-trump
Andy and Tony discuss an article written by Sara Benincase entitled, “A Gentile Reminder That Jesus Was A Brown Skinned Middle Eastern Refugee Who Would Not Have Voted For Trump.”

Sticking to the Reconnect dedication of sharing and defending the Good News of Jesus Christ, Andy and Tony do share the Gospel in this episode as well as defend the Gospel in light of Sara’s claim that the Bible is a bunch of fables and myths, but there is a large focus on the broadened use of the term Gospel that refers to the Gospel biographies, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The article they are discussing claims that Jesus was a refugee, that he started free healthcare, that he was killed by conservatives, and that he certainly wouldn’t have voted for Donald Trump, so Andy and Tony focus on discussing if Sara’s article accurately portrays what is revealed about Jesus in the Gospel biographies.  They also spend a good bit of time discussing if Sara’s article accurately portrays the things Donald Trump has said on the campaign trail.

Finally, they discuss how and why many Christians do plan to vote for Donald Trump and how it’s possible for them to do so with a clear conscience.

Show Links:

“A Gentle Reminder That Jesus Was A Brown Skinned Middle Eastern Refugee Who Would Not Have Voted For Trump” by Sara Benincasa

“Women’s Healthcare Will be Vastly Improved if Planned-Parenthood is Defunded” by Arina Grossu

“Donald Trump’s History of Empowering Women” excerpts from a Washington Post Article

Did Donald call all Mexicans rapists?  Check the actual quote that Andy read on the episode for yourself.

Hillary Clinton: Career Criminal – Must Watch Video If You Are Voting For Hillary

“I wrote about Max and Beth to Defend Christian Trump Supporters” by Mario Murillo

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