TCID: Pikeville

September 8, 2023

Event Flyers

Participants

Pastor Wesley Russell, Baptist Panelist

Pastor M. Jay Bennett, Presbyterian Panelist

Jordan Bennett, Speaker

Question 01

On Justification

For the sake of whose righteousness are we received by God into favor and reckoned as righteous? Are we, as creatures made in the image of our Creator, able to stand before the judgment of God on our own merits? If not, how then are we justified? Is a person accepted as righteous from the infusion of righteousness into them, or by the imputation of the obedience and satisfaction of their Lord? Moreover, should justification be understood purely as the remission of sins, or does it also include the sanctification and renewal of the inward man? Finally, what is the only instrument with which we embrace Jesus as our righteousness? Can good works cooperate with faith to increase our justification?

Question 02

On Baptist

By whose appointment was the Christian sacrament of baptism instituted and what does it signify to, and communicate about, the individual who receives it? Should baptism be administered only to those who profess repentance towards God, faith in, and obedience to, our Lord Jesus Christ, or may infants belonging to one or more regenerate parents also receive it? How might one view baptism in light of the covenant of grace and can parallels be drawn from it to the Old Testament rite of circumcision? Further, is baptism essential for salvation, or simply an outward sign signifying something greater? (e.g. that the party baptized has been accepted into God’s covenant community, and/or enjoys union with Christ, etc.) Is it appropriate that we describe it as a means of grace? Lastly, how is the outward element of water properly utilized when conducting this ordinance? Must one be immersed to be authentically baptized?