Two Ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
Notes
Transcript
Handout
What Are Ordinances?
What Are Ordinances?
Observances Commanded by Christ
Christ commanded that they be perpetually observed.
These ordinances are visible.
Not Sacraments
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have always been called ordinances by Baptists rather than sacraments.
Baptists have always protested and rejected sacramental efficacy. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28; Titus 3:5)
ordinance
n. An authoritative command or order.
n. A custom or practice established by long usage.
n. A Christian rite
Observances Commanded by Christ
Christ commanded that they be perpetually observed.
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances that were commanded by Christ.
Other practices sometimes called ordinances: foot washing, the holy kiss.
It is not found in Scripture where these other practices are commanded to be perpetually observed.
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper were to continue on after Christ, after the New Testament.
Observances Commanded by Christ
Christ commanded that they be perpetually observed.
These ordinances are visible.
When someone observes a baptism, they are seeing a picture of the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Lord’s Table the bread symbolizes the body of Christ broken on the cross, the juice symbolizes His blood that was shed for us.
sacrament (Catholic definitions)
n. A rite believed to be a means of or visible form of grace, especially.
n. Any of the seven rites that were instituted by Jesus and that confer sanctifying grace.
n. The two rites, Baptism and the Eucharist, that were instituted by Jesus to confer sanctifying grace.
Not Sacraments (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28; Titus 3:5)
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have always been called ordinances by Baptists rather than sacraments.
The Roman Catholic Church and some other Orthodox churches would call these sacraments.
They put a lot of emphasis on baptism and the Lord’s Supper. These other groups would call the Lord’s Supper “communion” because they believe that sacraments produce grace.
In other words, Catholics believe, by being baptized, and by taking the Lord’s Supper, you are assuring yourself of salvation.
Not Sacraments (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28; Titus 3:5)
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have always been called ordinances by Baptists rather than sacraments.
Baptists and Scripture do not teach this principle in any way.
We believe salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ.
Baptists have always protested and rejected sacramental efficacy. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28; Titus 3:5)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
The Ordinance of Baptism
The Ordinance of Baptism
Meaning of Baptism
Baptism was instituted by Christ as an obligation for all believers, to picture the Gospel. (Matthew 3)
Baptism is to be administered to believers only. (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:13; Acts 18:8;)
Baptism is not essential to salvation. (Luke 23:43)
Mode of Baptism
Immersion pictures the death, burial and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Matthew 12:40; Romans 6:4;)
Bible examples of baptisms display immersion. (John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39)
Immersion was the earliest method of baptism used in churches.
Meaning of Baptism
Baptism was instituted by Christ as an obligation for all believers, to picture the Gospel. (Matthew 3)
He submitted to John’s baptism in Matthew 3 at the river Jordan.
Meaning of Baptism
Baptism was instituted by Christ as an obligation for all believers, to picture the Gospel. (Matthew 3)
Baptism is to be administered to believers only. (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:13; Acts 18:8;Luke 23:43;)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
There were no infants baptized in the Word of God.
There is no record of any commandment to baptize our children prior to salvation.
Baptism has no significance for an unbeliever.
Baptism is not to be repeated.
It can be someone is to be “re-baptized” after finding they are not truly saved, having been baptized before.
In this type of case the original baptism was simply not legitimate.
Meaning of Baptism
Baptism was instituted by Christ as an obligation for all believers, to picture the Gospel. (Matthew 3)
Baptism is to be administered to believers only. (Mark 16:16; Acts 8:13; Acts 18:8;Luke 23:43;)
Baptism is not essential to salvation. (Luke 23:43)
The thief on the cross was not baptized after becoming saved.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Mode of Baptism
Immersion pictures the death, burial and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Matthew 12:40; Romans 6:4;)
Neither sprinkling nor pouring would picture the death, burial or resurrection.
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Mode of Baptism
Immersion pictures the death, burial and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Matthew 12:40; Romans 6:4;)
Bible examples of baptisms display immersion. (John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39)
23 And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Mode of Baptism
Immersion pictures the death, burial and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Matthew 12:40; Romans 6:4;)
Bible examples of baptisms display immersion. (John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39)
Immersion was the earliest method of baptism used in churches.
The Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper
The Ordinance of the Lord’s Supper
Meaning of Lord’s Supper
Instituted by Christ the night before His betrayal and crucifixion. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
“This do” indicates an obligation.
Identifies baptized believers with His broken body and shed blood.
False theology of transubstantiation (Luke 22:19-20)
Methods of Lord’s Supper
Who should partake? Open communion, Close communion, Closed communion (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
When we partake: Perpetually, continually, no indication of how often. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Administered normally by local church Pastor
Meaning of Lord’s Supper
Instituted by Christ the night before His betrayal and crucifixion. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
Meaning of Lord’s Supper
Instituted by Christ the night before His betrayal and crucifixion. (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
“This do” indicates an obligation.
Identifies baptized believers with His broken body and shed blood.
False theology of transubstantiation (Luke 22:19-20)
19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Jesus did not mean this is literally my body and blood. (Luke 22:19-20)
Roman Catholic priests say a prayer over the bread and over the wine and, through his prayer, turn those elements into the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ.
When a Roman Catholic takes the mass, they are receiving Jesus Christ literally. Catholics will often say they received Christ last Saturday night.
He could not have meant his words literally because He was literally there at the moment. He meant it as an illustration of what would happen the next day.
Methods of Lord’s Supper
Who should partake? Open communion, Close communion, Closed communion (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
Open communion
Anyone who wants to partake may do so.
Most Baptists have rejected this possibility because we believe one must be saved and baptized in order to be a member of the church and partake.
Some Baptist have been open communion but this is unscriptural.
Close communion
Saved and baptized, and either a member of the church administering the ordinance, or a member of a church of like faith and practice.
For example a missionary visiting for the night.
Closed communion
Saved and baptized, and a member of the church where the ordinance is being administered.
The requirements are that a person be saved, baptized and a member of a church.
The Lord also requires that a person be in good standing with the Lord in order to partake. (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Methods of Lord’s Supper
Who should partake? Open communion, Close communion, Closed communion (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
When we partake: Perpetually, continually, no indication of how often. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.
Methods of Lord’s Supper
Who should partake? Open communion, Close communion, Closed communion (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
When we partake: Perpetually, continually, no indication of how often. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Paul said we would show the Lord’s death until He comes.
The scriptures do not indicate how often.
Methods of Lord’s Supper
Who should partake? Open communion, Close communion, Closed communion (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)
When we partake: Perpetually, continually, no indication of how often. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Administered normally by local church Pastor