{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Signs & Seals: What is the church? (Part II) (2\/7)","description":"In Week 2 of our Signs & Seals class, Dennis Bills lays the groundwork for understanding baptism and the Lord\u2019s Supper by focusing on the visible church. What is the relationship between the visible and invisible church? Why does belonging to a local church matter? And how do the sacraments function within that structure? Dennis explains that the visible church is not optional or symbolic\u2014it is Christ\u2019s real, gathered people in the world, made up of connected local congregations. From there, he shows how baptism serves as the entry into the church, and the Lord\u2019s Supper expresses our ongoing unity with Christ and with one another. This episode challenges individualistic views of Christianity and highlights the importance of church membership, leadership, and discipline in rightly understanding the sacraments. Key Themes: Visible vs. invisible church The necessity of local church membership The connection between churches Baptism as entry into the church Communion as participation in Christ\u2019s body Why the sacraments belong in the gathered church ","author_name":"Missio Dei Church...every man, woman, and child","author_url":"http:\/\/missio.libsyn.com","html":"