Credo Podcast Episcopacy and the Succession of Bishops
11 snips
Jan 5, 2026 
Gerald McDermott, an Anglican priest and theologian, shares his fascinating journey from a Roman Catholic background to leading a Baptist commune and ultimately becoming an Anglican priest. He discusses the allure of liturgical worship and how it engages the entire family. McDermott delves into historical roots of episcopal polity and emphasizes the significance of apostolic succession. He also critiques the narrative of the early church's corruption, advocating for a return to the traditions of the first millennium. His insights offer practical guidance for those exploring Anglicanism.
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Conversion From Baptist Commune To Anglicanism
- Gerald McDermott recounts shifting from a Baptist charismatic commune to liturgical Anglicanism after studying New Testament texts and the Fathers.
- He describes the moment passages like 1 Corinthians 10 and Colossians 2 made the sacraments feel ontological rather than merely symbolic.
Family Transformed By Liturgy
- Gerald and his family found Anglican liturgy transformed their children’s faith and practices over decades.
- His youngest son became an Anglican priest and all three sons embraced liturgical, sacramental worship.
Early Church Practiced Threefold Order
- McDermott emphasizes the threefold order (bishop, priest, deacon) appears universally from the early second century onward.
- He argues congregational and presbyterian polities emerged only during the Reformation, not in the church's first millennium.
