Church Ordinances

 

    Ordinance is a piece of legislation enacted by a municipal authority.  In a church it is baptism done by the pastor.  It is also a decree you sign about your faith to join the church.  To follow Jesus you need to be baptized.  To be a part of a church family, you need to sign the decree of faithfulness.    

    To be a member of a church you must declare your faith in Jesus Christ and be baptized.  Baptism is done as an of obedience.  It declares that your identity is in Jesus's death, burial, and resurrection.  It is putting actions behind your words of faith that you will die to who you were to become like Jesus.  

    Baptism acknowledges that your old self is crucified and the person that rises is a new person.  True baptism is being fully immersed in water..  The word baptism come from the Greek word baptizo which means "make fully whelmed; to dip or to sink".

    You receive the Holy Spirit the moment you accept the gift of salvation.  You are sealed for heaven, even if you never get to be baptized.  However, baptism is important.  It need to happen if it can.  It is a declaration of your identity in Jesus.  The rising of the water represents the Holy Spirit filling you and making you a new person.  

    Along with the ordinance of baptism there is the ordinance of communion.  Communion is the Lords Supper that is acknowledged at a set time in the church.  Like baptism, it was given by Jesus to be observed and obeyed by the church.  Baptism represents a new life.  Communion is done in remembrance of Jesus' death.

    The bread is eaten in remembrance of Jesus.  It represents his body giving us life.  The cup represents Jesus' promise of the new covenant.  He gave all of his blood to anyone who wants to have the gift of salvation.  Every time you partake in communion, you declare your faith that Jesus will return for the united church.  

    Communion is only for believer's.  It comes with warnings.  If you partake in an unworthy manner, then you are committing a sin against Jesus' sacrifice.  It will bring judgment upon you.  It can cause weakness,  illness, or even death.  If you part take and you are not a Christian, then you are only adding burning coals upon your head.  Ordinances are serious and placed by Jesus for a purpose.

Matthew 3:13-16, 28:16-20, John 3:22-30, Acts 2:41, 8:26-40, 10:44-48, 16:31-34, 18:7-8, Romans 6:1-11, & 1 Corinthians 11:23-30