Amazing Baptism Numbers Seminar – Watch the Recordings
Dear RENEW.org Network Leaders, If you are a church leader or everyday Christian and you want to learn how to be more effective at leading people to Jesus through baptism, […]
What Is Repentance and What Does It Look Like?
In the first-century Jewish world, large numbers of people were drawn to the simple message of repentance. Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven […]
What is the Gospel: And How Do We Respond?
It may be the most important word in Scripture. At its core, gospel means good news. In the ancient world, it marked a turning point—“Something has happened…and because it happened, […]
Build the Ark: Noah, Meaning, and the Church in an Age of Collapse
One of the first things the Bible teaches us—right there in Genesis—is that God is a God of order. God separates: light from darkness, sea from sky, meaning from murk. […]
Why I Wrote ‘Baptism According to Scripture’
July 14, 2025 Today, along with three other organizations, we’re releasing what has been the hardest book I’ve ever written. And that’s saying something—I’ve written or co-written around 20 books. […]
Baptism According to Scripture: A Discussion
What if the clearest voice on baptism wasn’t a tradition, denomination, or preacher–but Scripture itself? Join Bobby Harrington (RENEW.org), Jerry Harris (Christian Standard), Gary Johnson (e2 Effective Elders), Karl Halverson […]
Disciple Making, Matthew Bates, and 5-Point Calvinism: Q&A with Bill Hull
*Editor’s Note: Our mission at RENEW.org is to “renew the teachings of Jesus to Fuel Disciple Making,” so we want to take note of an important debate that is currently […]
Come to the Water: Accepting Christ’s Invitation to Baptism
“Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do […]
Afraid of Getting Baptized?
You are afraid of WHAT?! When bold men bow their knee to Jesus willingly and vulnerably, it reminds me that Jesus really is “the Man.” My friend and I were […]
Infant Baptism: Does the New Testament Teach Paedobaptism?
Does the Bible teach infant baptism (also called paedobaptism)? Many denominations of Christianity practice infant baptism, but an exploration of the Scriptures describing baptism and its purpose challenges the practice. […]
Losing My Faith in Progressive Christianity: The Fleeting Fulfillment of a Feelings-Based Faith (Part 6)
Progressive Christianity Part 1: Insights from Deconstruction Stovall recounts a season of doubt, questioning a culture built on the sinner’s prayer and feelings-based assurance. The narrative challenges easy-belief formulas, contrasting […]
What Does the Bible Say about Baptism?
What does the Bible say about baptism? Baptism is immersion in water which expresses repentance from sinful lifestyles and saving faith in Jesus. It is to becoming a Christian what […]
How Does Jesus Call Us to Both Salvation and Discipleship?
Salvation and Discipleship: The Lifelong Invitation of Jesus Jesus defines salvation as a lifelong relationship, not merely a one-time event like baptism or forgiveness. Through healing and restoration, Christ reunites […]
How Do We Share the Gospel?
Sharing the Gospel: Witnessing to Jesus the Victorious King Obedience to Jesus requires sharing the gospel, even when culture resists through skepticism, narcissism, and false tolerance. Witness includes both history […]
The Gospel Precisely Author Q&A – Matthew Bates with Bobby Harrington
Definition of the Gospel: Clear & Urgent Q&A Definition of the Gospel is clarified as the story of Jesus the saving King—sent by the Father, incarnate in David’s line, crucified, […]
What Does It Mean to Be Baptized for the Forgiveness of Our Sins?
What Does It Mean to Be Baptized? Clear Forgiveness What does it mean to be baptized? Bapism is described as the normative point where faith connects with God’s grace and […]
What Does It Mean to Confess Jesus as Lord?
Confess Jesus: What It Means to Boldly Declare Him as Lord Declaring Jesus as Lord means pledging loyalty to Him as King and rejecting every rival claim to rule your […]
What Does It Mean to Repent?
Repentance: What It Means to Truly Turn to Jesus Genuine repentance shows up as a change in heart and behavior, not just an apology without follow-through. Paul’s dramatic turnaround and […]
How People Make the Commitment to Jesus in Baptism
Baptism Commitment and the Covenant Promise to Follow Jesus Baptism commitment is the formal covenant pledge where a believer repents, trusts in Jesus, and receives God’s promises of forgiveness and […]
How to Botch a Baptism
Baptism Fail and the Discipleship That Must Follow Baptism fail occurs when churches baptize someone and then abandon them without the training and relationships needed to grow as a disciple. […]
Why Is a New Birth Necessary?
New Birth and the Restoration of Our Relationship With God New Birth is necessary because sin disrupted humanity’s relationship with God, beginning with Adam and Eve’s choice to do life […]
Introduction to New Birth: Conversion and Baptism
Conversion and Baptism and the New Birth Into a Living Hope Conversion and Baptism explains why being “born again” is about starting new life through Jesus, rooted in 1 Peter […]
New Birth Author Q&A – Anessa Westbrook and Michael Strickland with Daniel McCoy
New Birth Author Q&A: Baptism, New Birth, and Conversion Listeners will learn why many people misunderstand the need to be born again and how baptism connects to spiritual transformation. The […]
How Should We Treat Elements of Our Faith That Are Not Essential?
Essential Elements And Important Faith Truths Recognize that beliefs not classified as essential are still important and deserve study, time, and devotion. Learn from Jesus, Apollos, and humble instruction how […]
Christian Convictions Author Q&A – Chad Ragsdale and Bobby Harrington
Christian Convictions Q&A on Essential, Important, and Personal Beliefs Chad shares how his apologetics teaching led to a framework for distinguishing essential Christian beliefs from important doctrines and personal opinions. […]
Introduction to Christian Convictions: Discerning the Essential, Important, and Personal Elements
Introduction to Christian Convictions for Discernment and Faith Growth Chad recounts how his dad helped him overcome baptism anxiety by affirming core beliefs and encouraging ongoing spiritual growth. This introduction […]
What Does It Mean for the Holy Spirit to Live within Us?
Holy Spirit Empowered Living Through God’s Immersion Baptism brings believers into relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, opening a Spirit-filled way of life beyond the flesh. Participation in […]
Q&A – 3 Questions We’ve Started Asking at Baptism
Baptism Q&A Lifelong Discipleship Commitments Through Baptism Q&A, new believers publicly affirm Jesus as King, trust His death and resurrection, and commit to follow Him without conditions for life. Emphasizing […]
There Are Two Crosses in the Life of a Christian
Life of a Christian – Walking the Path of Two Crosses Carrying the two crosses reveals true discipleship. Christ’s cross brings salvation, while our cross calls us to die to […]
The Historical Evidence for the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus – Evidence for Easter (Part 3)
Historical Evidence for Easter—Death, Burial, Resurrection Scholars from skeptical to believing affirm Jesus’ crucifixion, with ancient sources and archaeology detailing the practice and its brutality. In Jerusalem, the empty-tomb claim […]
Everybody Is Recovering from Something
Recovering — Steps to Spiritual Health Powerlessness led to trust in God, beginning a Scripture-shaped transformation marked by honest surrender and dependence on His strength. Through the twelve steps—surrender, confession, […]
Sermon on the Mount: Pure in Heart
Pure in Heart — Cleanness that Sees God Jesus moves past externals to the inner life, insisting a clean heart matters more than ritual performance (Mt 5–7; 15). Leviticus’ pattern—confession, […]
An Invitation to Come in Out of the Dark
Dark — Pathways into God’s Light From Genesis to John, Scripture shows God’s presence bringing light that exposes deception and brings order to chaos. Turning to Jesus, the Light of […]
What’s So Important about Context? – Q&A with Orpheus J. Heyward
Context — Handling Scripture With Integrity Rightly handling the Word (2 Timothy 2:15) guards us from bending verses to our will and keeps God’s will central. Examples like Ephesians 2:8, […]
Disciple Making Shift #3 – From Professionals to Everyone Reaching the Lost
Disciple Making Shift #3 — Mobilizing Every Believer Churches that rely only on attractional models see limited fruit; empowering all believers to introduce people to Jesus multiplies impact. Barna findings […]
Disciple Making Shift #2 – From Going to Church to Going to Lost People
Disciple Making Shift #2 Inspires Missional Living Through Disciple Making Shift #2, believers learn to step outside church walls and intentionally reach the lost where they live and work. The […]
Losing My Faith…in Progressive Christianity (Part 1)
Progressive Christianity Part 1: Insights from Deconstruction Stovall recounts a season of doubt, questioning a culture built on the sinner’s prayer and feelings-based assurance. The narrative challenges easy-belief formulas, contrasting […]
Disciple Making Shift #1: From Church Members to Disciple Makers
Disciple Makers in Everyday Mission Identity reframed as disciple makers reshapes daily choices, moving believers from passive attendance to active obedience. Instead of “doing church,” followers reach the lost, train […]
5 Shifts to Return to Jesus-Style Disciple Making
Jesus-Style Disciple Making — Five Shifts in Practice Rooted in Matthew 28:18–20, this approach returns to Jesus as the Master Disciple Maker and His plan to go, baptize, and teach […]
The Stages of Disciple Making: Go and Make Disciples (Part 5)
Disciple Making — Replication in the Great Commission Rooted in Matthew 28:19–20 and John 20:21, Jesus sends trained disciples to go, baptize, teach obedience, and remember His presence. Beyond conversion, […]
Starting a Transparency Group Video Training: What’s Next in Disciple Making with Bobby Harrington
Disciple Making with Bobby Harrington Training Highlights Field-tested model equips churches to start small transparency groups (2–5), in person or on Zoom, for life-on-life growth. Leaders invite believers and seekers, […]
Shane Wood – Enneagram Micro Course – Introduction
Shane Wood – Enneagram Insights Shane Wood explains the Enneagram through Genesis and theology, showing how it connects with creation, brokenness, and God’s pursuit. He highlights how self-awareness and loving […]
A Simple Way to Share the Gospel
Simple Way to Share the Gospel – Acts 2 Roadmap Starting with Jesus as Lord, Peter’s sermon brings conviction and the urgent question, “What should we do?” Peter calls hearers […]
Baptism, Salvation, and Discipleship
Baptism and New Life: Conversion to Discipleship Conversion with repentance leads to salvation. Heaven rejoices over a sinner who repents, as God pours out forgiving grace (Luke 15:10). Union with […]
Lessons from the Church in Kenya: Members or Disciples?
Church in Kenya Lessons for Spiritual Growth Church in Kenya reveals how entertainment-driven models risk producing members instead of authentic disciples. Discipleship in the Church in Kenya emphasizes prayer, Scripture, […]
Promise Keepers & Stories of Changed Lives
Stories of Changed Lives in Faith and Transformation Stories of Changed Lives highlight reconciliation, as men returned to their families and restored broken marriages after encountering Jesus. Life-change was evident […]
This Is the Weekend to Get Right with God
Get Right with God This Easter Weekend Transformation begins when you surrender your brokenness to Jesus, just as Eli did when he realized God’s love was bigger than his past. […]
What Today’s Disciples Can Learn from the First Disciples
Disciples — Lessons from Lydia and Philippi From a riverside prayer gathering, Lydia’s opened heart led to baptism and hospitable ministry that birthed a house church. In Philippi, households—including the […]
The Basis for Church Unity
Church Unity in Ephesians 4’s Seven Ones Church Unity centers on one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God, calling believers to keep […]
Baptism is Beautiful
Baptism Is Beautiful: Sacred Union with Christ Baptism Is Beautiful reminds us that baptism isn’t just a command—it’s a meaningful, joyful milestone symbolizing union with Christ. Like a wedding, baptism […]
Forthcoming: ‘Baptism According to Scripture: A Clear, Short, and Unfiltered Guide’
Baptism According to Scripture: What This New Guide Will Help You Understand Baptism According to Scripture is more than tradition—it’s about transformation, repentance, and new life in Christ. This clear […]