Baptist Faith and Message 4

Side Message-Cremation

The question came up the other day and comes more frequently to the pastor today. Is Cremation condoned or condemned in the Bible?

Burial was the most common method mentioned in the Scriptures.

Genesis 23:19 “19 And after this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah, before Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.”

Deuteronomy 34:6 “6 And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.”

John 19:40–42 “40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41 Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.”

-No explicit prohibition

Biblical View of the Body

The Bible emphasizes our ultimate hope is in the resurrection of the body, not in the preservation of the body.

1 Corinthians 6:19 “19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?”

1 Corinthians 15:42–44 “42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.”

Principles of Christian Liberty

Romans 14:5–6 “5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.”

This passage speaks to personal conscience in disputable matters.

The Doctrine of the Church

300 Quotations for Preachers Marks of the Church

Matthew 18:20

Preaching Themes: Church, Church_Nature, God_Presence

Wherever we find the word of God purely preached and heard, and the sacraments administered according to the institution of Christ; there, it is not to be doubted, is a Church of God: for his promise can never deceive: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

JOHN CALVIN*

Matthew 18:20 “20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.””

Matthew 16:18 “18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

When you hear the word church, what do you think of?

A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek Testament and The Hebrew Bible (1577. ἐκκλησία)

1577. ἐκκλησία ĕkklēsia, ek-klay-see´-ah; from a comp. of 1537 and a der. of 2564; a calling out, i.e. (concr.) a popular meeting, espec. a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Chr. community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both):—assembly, church.

A Sourcebook for Baptist Heritage Committee on Baptist Faith and Message

VI. THE CHURCH

A New Testament church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of baptized believers who are associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel, observing the two ordinances of Christ, committed to his teachings, exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his Word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth.

This church is an autonomous body, operating through democratic processes under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In such a congregation, members are equally responsible. Its Scriptural officers are pastors and deacons.

The New Testament speaks also of the church as the body of Christ which includes all of the redeemed of all the ages.

Matt. 16:15–19; 18:15–20; Acts 2:41–42, 47; 5:11–14; 6:3–6; 13:1–3; 14:23, 27; 5:1–30; 16:5; 20:28; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; 3:16; 5:4–5; 7:17; 9:13–14; 12; Ephes. 1:22–23; 2:19–22; 3:8–11, 21; 5:22–32; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:18; 1 Tim. 3:1–15; 4:14; 1 Peter 5:1–4; Rev. 2–3; 21:2–3.

XII. A GOSPEL CHURCH

A church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ, governed by his laws, and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by his word, and seeking to extend the gospel to the ends of the earth. Its Scriptural officers are bishops, or elders, and deacons.

Matt. 16:18; Matt. 18:15–18; Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; Acts 2:41–42; 5:13–14; 2 Cor. 9:13; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 4:14; Acts 14:23; Acts 6:3, 5–6; Heb. 13:17; 1 Cor. 9:6, 14.

Matthew 16:15–19 NKJV

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

The emphasis-Christ, Son of the living God

Revelation

Built in His power

He provides the key, we have to place the key in the door for the person to make a decision

Acts 2:41–42 “41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Offer the plan of salvation

baptize

bible study

grow

fellowship

prayer

Acts 5:11–14 “11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. 12 And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. 13 Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. 14 And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,”

Reverence-reverential fear

hands and feet of Jesus

Unity

Revered and respected

Growth

Acts 6:3–6 “3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.”

Mature leadership

extend the ministry

pray for leaders

laying on of hands-what does that mean?

Romans 1:7 “7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Called to be saints, set apart,holy-not separated, but insulated in Christ

1 Corinthians 3:16 “16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

Our very lives are Christ’s temple.

God’s Spirit dwells in us-what about my life conveys His Spirit?

1 Corinthians 7:17 “17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.”

gifts

calling-mission

1 Corinthians 9:13–14 “13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.”

Our walk must match our talk-stark enemy #1 hypocrisy

Ephesians 1:22–23 “22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

honor

unity comes when submissive to the Lord and His teachings.

Ephesians 2:19–22 “19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.”

citizens-when you think of being a citizen, what comes to mind? What is the action of a responsible citizen?

Members of the household-what actions are expected in your household?

built on a foundation of apostles and prophets

Chief Cornerstone-Christ

Being formed fit together, built together

Ephesians 3:8–11 “8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,”

Title: The Church: God’s Called-Out People

I. The Nature of the Church

Definition: The church is the body of Christ, made up of all true believers, both locally and universally.

Scriptural Context:

Matthew 16:18 – Jesus promises to build His church.

Matthew 16:18 “18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

Ephesians 1:22-23 – The church is the body of Christ, with Him as the head.

Ephesians 1:22–23 “22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

1 Peter 2:9 – The church is a chosen people, a royal priesthood, called to proclaim God's excellencies.

1 Peter 2:9 “9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

Key Points:

The church is both visible (local congregations) and invisible (all believers).The church is built by Christ, not man.Every believer is part of the body of Christ, with unique roles and responsibilities.

II. The Mission of the Church

Scriptural Context:

Matthew 28:18-20 – The Great Commission, the church’s mission to make disciples.

Acts 1:8 – The church is to be a witness to the ends of the earth.

Ephesians 4:11-13 – The church’s purpose is to equip the saints for ministry and build up the body of Christ.

Key Points:

The church exists to fulfill the Great Commission through evangelism, discipleship, and missions.Every believer is called to contribute to the mission of the church.The church’s mission includes teaching, fellowship, and growing believers into maturity.

III. The Ordinances of the Church

Scriptural Context:

Baptism:

Romans 6:4 – Baptism symbolizes the believer’s death to sin and new life in Christ.

Matthew 28:19 – Baptism as part of the Great Commission.

The Lord’s Supper:

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – The Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.

Luke 22:19-20 – Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper.

Key Points:

Baptism: A public declaration of faith, symbolizing death to sin and resurrection to new life.

The Lord’s Supper: A symbolic act commemorating Christ’s death and looking forward to His return.These ordinances are outward expressions of inward faith and essential practices of the church.

Conclusion:

The church is God’s plan for His people, united by faith, called to mission, and marked by ordinances that point to Christ’s work. Every believer is an essential part of the church's life and ministry.