The Ordinances

Intro:

TS: We have been looking at essentials of the church.

Prayer, fellowship, discipleship, ministry, and worship

Tonight, we want to look at the ordinances of the church.

What the Ordinances aren’t

A Means of Grace

Any activity other than Baptism and Lord’s Supper

Some “churches” see other things as ordinances

Christian Veiling Foot Washing Kiss of Charity Anointing with Oil Marriage

The True Ordinances of the church:

The ordinances have been instated in the church by Christ and are presented in the Bible as to the manner in which they are to be dispensed.

The ordinances are for believers only

As the Westminster Confession of Faith states, “Sacraments are holy signs and seals of the covenant of grace, immediately instituted by God, to represent Christ, and his benefits; and to confirm our interest in him: as also, to put a visible difference between those that belong unto the church, and the rest of the world; and solemnly to engage them to the service of God in Christ, according to his Word”

Were given by Jesus

He began their use in church

He partook of them

Portray Jesus

The Apostles taught them

The New Testament expands on and explains them

Water Baptism

Symbolizes: New birth. Our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. Scriptures:

Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; 10:47-48;

Matthew 28:19 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 10:47–48 ESV

“Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Meaning: Romans 6:3-4

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Lord's Supper

Symbolizes: Body and blood of Christ that was broken and shed for our salvation,. Scriptures: Matthew 26:26-29; Luke 22:17-20;

Matthew 26:26–29 ESV

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Meaning: 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

1 Corinthians 11:23–30 ESV

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.