Christian Ordinances
Baptism: We believe that New Testament baptism is the immersion in water of a born-again believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority and approval of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It pictures our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Matthew 28:19-20); and that it is obedience to the Lord and prerequisite to the privileges of Church membership and to the observance of the Lord’s Supper.
Lord’ Supper: We believe the Lord’s Supper should always be preceded by solemn self-examination and that the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ until He returns (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-31). The prerequisites to participation in the Lord’s Supper are those laid down by Christ and His apostles as a church ordinance that include:
(1) Salvation (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
(2) Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41, 46).
(3) Membership in Bible-believing church (Acts 2:46-47; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 11:18, 22; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 11-15).
(4) An orderly walk (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). A disorderly walk designates a course of life in a church member which is contrary to the precepts of the gospel including immoral conduct, disobedience to the commands of Christ, heresy (teaching false doctrine), and schism or promotion of division and dissension in the church.
The New Testament accounts indicate that the Lord’s Supper was observed only at regular appointed meetings of local churches, and thus we believe that the scrutiny of qualifications for participation in the Lord’s Supper rests with the same body.
Baptism: We believe that New Testament baptism is the immersion in water of a born-again believer in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, with the authority and approval of the local church, to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior. It pictures our death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Matthew 28:19-20); and that it is obedience to the Lord and prerequisite to the privileges of Church membership and to the observance of the Lord’s Supper.
Lord’ Supper: We believe the Lord’s Supper should always be preceded by solemn self-examination and that the sacred use of unleavened bread and the fruit of the vine are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ until He returns (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-31). The prerequisites to participation in the Lord’s Supper are those laid down by Christ and His apostles as a church ordinance that include:
(1) Salvation (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).
(2) Baptism (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41, 46).
(3) Membership in Bible-believing church (Acts 2:46-47; 1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 11:18, 22; 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 11-15).
(4) An orderly walk (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). A disorderly walk designates a course of life in a church member which is contrary to the precepts of the gospel including immoral conduct, disobedience to the commands of Christ, heresy (teaching false doctrine), and schism or promotion of division and dissension in the church.
The New Testament accounts indicate that the Lord’s Supper was observed only at regular appointed meetings of local churches, and thus we believe that the scrutiny of qualifications for participation in the Lord’s Supper rests with the same body.