The Rural Church Podcast 2.0

This is Part 2 in a 2-Part series on why Baptists are right when it comes to the proper mode and subjects of baptism. Part 1 aired on 2/14/24. Originally, this was going to go next, but we moved some things around... Disclaimer: In no way does this mean we think only Baptists are going to heaven! Eddie and Allen have grown so much over the years learning from non-Baptists who love the Lord. Nevertheless, this is an important doctrine and all believers would do well to make sure they get this right.

Every local church must be regulated by the Scriptures. In this episode, Pastor Allen discusses briefly an instance in his past where he came to see this experientially, and then we get into a sermon he preached on this subject in October of 2022 at Beryl Baptist Church in Vilonia, AR. This message should both encourage and challenge us in the days ahead.

Eddie and Allen discuss Eddie's recent trip to the Ligonier Conference as well as his experience in a Lutheran service. Then the guys turn to Numbers 25 to look at the story of Phinehas and Zimri and the application this has today to local churches and even conventions and denominations.

Throwback! Eddie and Allen take you back to the Rural Church Podcast 1.0. One of their favorite episodes: An interview with the one and only, Prissy Wallace. Ms. Prissy is a faithful Christian women, never married, blind from Type 1 Diabetes, and currently in her 70s. You will be blessed by this episode. Originally recorded in September 2017.

Eddie and Allen head to the pub. NOT A REAL PUB! The guys interact with a post on the Reformed Pub from Facebook regarding paedocommunion. This gets them into a discussion on paedobaptism, credobaptism, and Baptist Covenant Theology. We hope this is a helpful episode and encourages you to Baptist even harder! Soli Deo Gloria

On this week's episode of the RCP 2.0, Eddie Ragsdale dives into 2 Peter 3:1-13 to give us the beautiful promise of God's faithfulness to His plan and to His people. He deals with an oft used text against Calvinism, 2 Peter 3:9, and why it's actually a beautiful text in support of reformed theology.

Sadly, church discipline is an oft-neglected aspect of church life, particularly in the Bible Belt. What is church discipline? Why and how should it be practiced? What should you do if it's not? In this week's episode, Eddie and Allen tackle these practical questions and more about church discipline. You can listen to Allen's sermon on this subject here: https://providencebaptistar.com/imi_sermon/a-disciplined-church/

In the year of our Lord, 2024, we are still Baptists. In this episode, we hear a sermon from co-host Allen Nelson from Ephesians 4 on the biblical meaning of baptism. We are grateful for our brothers and sisters who see this issue differently. Nevertheless, we feel this is an important subject.

Eddie and Allen pick up a sobering but crucial subject when it comes to the Scriptures: Hell. The Bible teaches a literal, conscious, eternal, hell for unbelievers. The guys jump into this doctrine as well as how to preach it in our churches.

Are there ever any good reasons to "cancel" church? On this week's episode of the Rural Church Podcast, Eddie and Allen tackle this issue amid a snowstorm! Kinda. Why should Christians value Sundays? What about Wednesday Nights? This and more in Episode 67...

In this episode, Allen reads to us a sermon preached by Particular Baptist Pastor, Benjamin Keach (1640-1704). This sermon deals with the duties of church members and pastors to actively and tangibly strive for true peace together in the local church and with Christians outside their local church as well. A timely message for today!

What should a faithful pastor smell like? A strange question! Yet, biblically, we see that pastors are called shepherds. The idea is that these men should be shepherding God's flock which involves more than only preaching on Sundays. Listen in as Eddie and Allen discuss what it looks like to actually spend time with the sheep. This is an exhortation needed for both pastors and church members, and practical tips are given to both.

This episode is from November 27, 2017, on the original Rural Church Podcast. Listen in as a bit younger Eddie and Allen discuss the failure of the "affinity" and "attractional" based model of the local church. Here is the original episode description:

"Cowboy Church, Biker Church, Outdoor Church, Race Car Church, Gamer Church, Hipster Church, and the list goes on and on and on. Is there anything wrong with the 'affinity' based church movement? Should churches seek to 'attract' people to their main gathering using something other than the gospel? On this week's episode, Eddie and Allen tackle these issues and show why the attraction and affinity-based church movement falls short of the New Testament model of the local church. This is an important discussion..."

Well, it's pretty much like the title says. Eddie and Allen go over some of the top episodes of the RCP 2.0 for 2023. They discuss some personal ups and downs for 2023. Then they give an exhortation to why believes should be reading the Scriptures in 2024.

Merry Christmas from the Rural Church Podcast! The guys welcome fellow Arkansan, Dr. Russell Threet, to talk about the glorious reality of God becoming man to save us from our sins. They then discuss how that issue is connected to the Christian desire to abolish abortion in America. This video, The Fatal Flaw of the Pro-Life Movement, is mentioned in this episdoe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k33epqzJIlM

Eddie and Allen finish up their conversation with D. Michael Clary (@dmichaelclary) about his new book God's Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality. This part of the interview deals more specifically with gender roles in the local church. To purchase the book go to: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Good-Design-Theological-Practical/dp/1956521097

Eddie and Allen chat with D. Michael Clary (@dmichaelclary) about his new book God's Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality. In God's providence, this episode was recorded just after Ohio's wicked vote to enshrine abortion into its state constitution, so the conversation begins there. To purchase the book go to: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Good-Design-Theological-Practical/dp/1956521097

The guys talk about the theology of Christmas and whether Christians should celebrate. Then they get into specific ways to do evangelism during this time of year. Here is a link to the James White lesson mentioned in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SusR-01evO4

Eddie and Allen interview Dr. Jared Moore regarding his new book with Free Grace Prace, The Lust of the Flesh: Thinking Biblically About "Sexual Orientation," Attraction, and Temptation. The guys discuss the recent refusal of Louisiana Baptists to embrace equal protection for the preborn, and then jump into discussions regarding Same Sex Attraction, sin, redemption, the gospel, and the church. We are releasing this episode on a Tuesday since it is Thanksgiving week.

Eddie and Allen discuss this season of the year and how and why Christians should be thankful. They offer some practical ideas on how to express gratitude for and in the church. They end the episode talking about some things they are personally thankful for.

In this episode, Eddie speaks with Jim Elliff of Christian Communicators Worldwide about the biblical and historical basis for itinerant ministry as well as the strengths, benefits, and dangers today.

On this week of the RCP 2.0, Eddie and Allen talk about Baptist Associations. Then they get into Psalm 87:1-3 and talk about examples of glorious things in the church. Let us prize the local church's beauty!

Eddie and Allen chat about some recent life updates and evangelism opportunities. Then they get into John 2:17 and discuss the focus and zeal believers and especially pastors must have for the local church.

In this episode, Eddie and Allen catch up on their activities in the last month. They discuss G3 2023, Mexico Missions, Nursery/Cry Rooms, is it okay to pay for Christian Conferences?, and what about some of the current Baptist controversies? These things and more in this week's episode...

To kick off Reformation Month, Eddie and Allen discuss, "What is a Reformed Baptist?". How is this different than other baptists? How should Reformed Baptists cooperate with others?

In this episode of RCP 2.0, Pastor Allen S. Nelson IV preaches from Matthew 5:8 on The Heart that Sees God. What does it mean to "see" God? What applications are there for the Christian walk? What about images of God and/or Christ? We dive into this and more in this week's episode!

Allen and Eddie talk for a bit about the death of Sundays in America today. They then spend the majority of the episode talking about the purpose and value of good sermon illustrations. What are some dos and don'ts when it comes to the art of sermon illustration? Listen in and find out!

Allen and Eddie tackle the antiquated practice of sending and receiving members via a "church letter." What is good about this practice? What needs to be updated? Christ is worthy of healthy churches. Let us strive to have a more biblically faithful ecclesiology. You can also check out this YouTube video: https://youtu.be/wJsiH4YrteE

On this episode of RCP 2.0 Eddie and Allen talk about the global day of prayer and fasting to be held on October 4, 2023. They talk about the purpose of prayer and fasting and encourage your church to participate. Sign up here: https://globalprayerforrevival.com/

This week Allen sits down with Pastor Jacob Robinson, a fellow elder at Providence Baptist Church in Perryville, AR. They discuss their name change from Perryville Second Baptist Church to Providence Baptist Church and some important things to consider in your local church's name. More about Providence Baptist Church: https://perryvillesbc.org/what-we-believe/our-story/

On this episode of the Rural Church Podcast 2.0, Eddie and Allen discuss the topic of the 10 Commandments and the Christian.

Eddie and Allen finally catch up after a busy summer. They address the "dos" and "don'ts" of repreaching sermons and when to revisit a sermon series in another context like Sunday School.

Allen and Wes Brown conclude their discussion on George Whitefield by considering his trips to the colonies, his relationships with men like Jonathan Edwards and John Wesely, and how pastors and churches ought to learn from men like George Whitefield today.

In this episode, we share a clip from our weekly Wednesday F.I.R.M meetings with pastors from Mexico and Central America. This week Pastor Allen teaches on 2 Timothy 4:5 and the necessity of pastors doing the work of an evangelist.

This episode is part of our summer sermon clips series where we'll periodically post preaching clips to keep episodes rolling during the sermon. This sermon clip is from Allen in his first pastorate at FBC DeWitt, AR. This portion of the sermon covers the "overseers and deacons" from Philippians 1:1.

Eddie has on special guest Gunner Madewell to talk about their recent trip to Fayetteville, AR to preach the gospel. They also talk about the necessity of every local church caring about intentional evangelism.

Allen has on special guest Jonathan Murdock to recap their recent trip to Veracruz, Mexico, to chat about Fellowship of International Reformed Missions, and to discuss every local church's responsibility to invest in the Kingdom. The guys referenced this earlier episode: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ajsfxL6aaBb

They also referenced this sermon from Pastor Randall Easter: https://t.co/UF2qvJP8aO

Eddie, Allen, and Wes continue their discussion of George Whitefield. They consider the power of his preaching, his discipline with the Word and prayer, and his passion for lost souls. They cover from his conversion to the time right before he leaves for the American Colonies.

In this episode, Eddie and Allen have a conversation with Wes Brown the pastor of First Baptist Church of Plumerville, AR to discuss the life and legacy of George Whitefield. This episode covers why we should study men like Whitefield and takes listeners from Whitefield's birth to his conversion.

In this episode, Eddie and Allen wrap up their discussion on Baptist Covenant Theology. They consider Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 36, Galatians 3, and more. They love and appreciate their Presbyterian and Dispensational brothers. But, it is Baptist Covenant Theology that gives the best understanding of the totality of the Scriptures.

Allen and Eddie continue the Baptist Covenant Theology discussion. This time, they get into the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic Covenants and the differences between Baptists and Presbyterians in understanding these covenants.

On this episode, Allen and Eddie interview Ronnie Martin, Pastor of Substance Church in Ashland, Ohio. Ronnie recently co-authored a book with Donnie Griggs (B&H Publishing), Pastoring Small Towns: Help and Hope for Those Ministering in Smaller Places. With this being the Rural Church Podcast, we thought a conversation like this would be edifying to our listeners. Find out more info about the book at https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/pastoring-small-towns/.

In this episode, Eddie and Allen talk about the importance of reading and discuss some books they've been reading lately.

In this special episode of the Rural Church Podcast, Eddie interviews Brandon Saucier, worship Pastor at Southside Baptist Church in South Bend Indiana, about his journey dealing with a aggressive cancer diagnosis while continuing in ministry to his local church and caring for his family.