Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
Schleithaim’s order—baptism, ban, breaking of bread, separation, shepherds, sword, oath—is treated as meaningful; what picture of salvation and the church is created by placing discipline and communion immediately after baptism rather than jumping straight to “assurance” or private faith?
Another way to ask: The confession lists baptism, then church discipline (the ban), then the Lord’s Supper right after. What view of salvation and the church do you get when discipline and communion come right after baptism instead of focusing first on personal assurance or private faith?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the transcript, the order portrays salvation as entry into a disciplined, communal way of life: baptism plants a person into the church, then the church protects that life through the ban, and then celebrates and embodies unity through the breaking of bread. It presents faith as public belonging and ongoing obedience, not merely private certainty.
- The speaker says, “The order is important,” and starts: “First… baptism. That’s how you get into the church… receive the grace of God through Jesus.”
- Next comes the ban because “problems could come up… either… not fully believing or slipped back.”
- He links ban and communion: the ban “should be done just before communion,” so the congregation is rightly ordered for the Supper.
- Communion is described as baptism planting us into “a new community of love… the breaking of bread.”
- The Lord’s Supper section stresses unity: “Whoever has not been called to one faith, one baptism, one body cannot be made one bread with us.”