Introduction: The Ordinances of the Church

Within the tapestry of Christian faith and practice, certain acts are set apart as divinely appointed. These are often referred to as "ordinances" or "sacraments." While the term "sacrament" carries connotations of conveying grace intrinsically, a Biblically sound understanding often prefers the term "ordinance," emphasizing their nature as commands or instructions given by Christ Himself. These are not means of salvation, nor do they impart grace ex opere operato (by the work performed). Rather, they are outward, visible symbols of an inward, spiritual reality, acts of obedience for those who have already placed their faith in Jesus Christ. The New Testament commands two such ordinances for the church: believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper. They serve as pillars of Christian discipleship, public declarations of faith, and continuous reminders of the Lord's redemptive work.

Believer's Baptism: A Public Declaration

Baptism, as commanded by our Lord, is the first act of obedience for a new believer. It is a powerful symbol of identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection.

The Command and Mode of Baptism

The institution of baptism is clear in the Great Commission:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Matthew 28:19

And again:

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Mark 16:16

The Greek word translated "baptize" is baptizo, which literally means to immerse, submerge, or overwhelm. This understanding is consistently supported by the biblical narrative. For instance, Jesus' own baptism involved going "straightway out of the water" (Matthew 3:16), implying He had been in the water. Similarly, the account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch explicitly states, "they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip" (Acts 8:38-39). The need for "much water" (John 3:23) further confirms immersion as the intended mode. This mode beautifully symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection:

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.

Romans 6:4

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Colossians 2:12

The Subjects of Baptism

Scripture clearly teaches that baptism is for believers only. The prerequisite for baptism is repentance and faith:

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:38

When the Ethiopian eunuch desired baptism, Philip's response was direct:

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Acts 8:37

This sequence—faith preceding baptism—is consistent throughout the New Testament. There is no scriptural basis for infant baptism, as infants cannot repent or believe. Baptism is an outward testimony of an inward transformation that has already occurred.

The Significance of Baptism

Baptism does not save; it is a symbol of salvation. It is a public declaration of one's faith in Christ, a testimony to the world that the individual has died to their old life of sin and been raised to walk in newness of life with Christ. It signifies a spiritual union with Christ, a pledge of a good conscience toward God, and an entry into the visible fellowship of believers. As 1 Peter 3:21 states, baptism is "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God." It is a vital act of obedience for every true disciple of Jesus Christ.

The Lord's Supper: A Memorial and Proclamation

The second ordinance, the Lord's Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, was instituted by Christ Himself on the night before His crucifixion.

Institution and Elements

The accounts of the Lord's Supper are found in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20) and elaborated upon by the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The elements used are simple: bread and the fruit of the vine (wine).

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: 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. 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.

1 Corinthians 11:23-25

The bread represents Christ's broken body, sacrificed for our sins. The cup, containing the "fruit of the vine," represents His shed blood, which inaugurated the New Covenant and provides remission of sins.

Purpose and Significance

The Lord's Supper serves multiple profound purposes:

  • Remembrance: Above all, it is a memorial. Christ commanded, "this do in remembrance of me." It calls believers to remember the immense cost of their salvation—the suffering, death, and shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is a solemn moment to reflect on His sacrifice and unending love.
  • Proclamation: Paul clarifies that in partaking, "ye do shew the Lord's death till he come" (1 Corinthians 11:26). The Lord's Supper is a powerful visual sermon, proclaiming the core message of the Gospel—Christ's atoning death—to the church and to the world. It is a public testimony to the finished work of Christ on the cross.
  • Communion and Fellowship: It signifies the spiritual communion believers have with Christ and with one another. "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread" (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). It fosters unity and reminds us of our shared identity in Christ.
  • Anticipation: The phrase "till he come" points to the future. The Lord's Supper is a foretaste of the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, looking forward to Christ's glorious return and the consummation of His kingdom.
    • Participants and Self-Examination

    Like baptism, the Lord's Supper is for believers only. It is a family meal for the household of faith. Paul issues a stern warning against partaking in an "unworthy manner," emphasizing the need for self-examination:

    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. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

    1 Corinthians 11:27-29

    This self-examination involves confessing sin, ensuring one's faith in Christ, and understanding the profound significance of the elements. It is a time for solemn reflection and renewed commitment to Christ.

    Conclusion: Acts of Obedience and Faith

    The ordinances of believer's baptism and the Lord's Supper are precious gifts from our Lord to His church. They are not sacraments that confer grace for salvation, but rather visible illustrations of the Gospel's truth and powerful expressions of a believer's faith and obedience. Baptism marks the beginning of the Christian walk, a public declaration of a new life in Christ. The Lord's Supper is a continuing practice, reminding believers of Christ's sacrifice, proclaiming His death, and anticipating His glorious return. Both ordinances are communal acts, binding believers together in shared faith and purpose. By faithfully observing these commands, the church not only honors Christ but also powerfully communicates the core truths of the Christian faith to each generation.