Foundations Series: Ordinances of the Local Church – The Lord’s Supper
ORDINANCES OF THE LOCAL CHURCH: BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
We believe God established two ordinances of the local church: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Both of them visibly and tangibly express the gospel, and though they are not means of salvation. When celebrated by the church in faith-filled obedience, these ordinances spiritually nourish the believer and bear witness to the work of our Savior.
Baptism: Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is an outward testimony of a person’s belief in Christ and a solemn emblem of our union with Christ in death, burial and resurrection as accomplished by the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 28:19,20; Acts 2:38, 41–42; 8:12, 36–39; 10:47–48; 16:32–34; 18:8; 22:16; Romans 6:3-14; Galatians 3:27–28; Colossians 2:12.
The Lord’s Supper: The Lord’s Supper is a memorial service in which the symbols of bread and cup represent the body and blood of Jesus Christ and remind us of His great love in dying for our sins. While preceded by solemn self-examination, this ordinance is to be observed in joyous anticipation of His coming.
Matthew 26:26–29; 28:20; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:19–20; Acts 2:42; 20:7, 11; 1 Corinthians 11:23–30.