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Wednesday 21 August 2013

THREE SACRED ORDINACES OF THE CHURCH

1)      WATER BAPTISM

2)      SPIRITUAL BAPTISM

3)      THE LORD’S SUPPER / HOLY COMMUNION / EUCHARIST

WATER BAPTISM:

From Greek — "to overwhelm, i.e. fully wet; to cover wholly with water; complete immersion."
  • The importance of water baptism in the Christian’s profession of faith in Christ Jesus:
In the New Testament (NT) we find the herald, God’s anointed and official messenger of His Christ, John the Baptist, baptizing and "preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins" (Lk.3:3). See also vs. 4-17. John admonished those seeking baptism to offer to God "fruits worthy of repentance" (8). Namely, to (a) share what you have with those who don’t have (11); (b) don’t overcharge others (12-13); neither be violent towards / oppress others; nor make false accusations against others; and be contented with your wages (14). John’s baptism, a prophetic sign, a dramatic action which, like his prophetic words, proclaimed the divine will. Once performed, the prophetic sign, like the prophetic word, could not be undone. John’s message and baptism both point forward to the one who follows him. His baptism is 'the beginning of the gospel message' (Mk.11:27-33; Acts 1:22; 10:36-37). Water baptism demonstrates to the Christian the importance of repentance, i.e. to turn away from a life of sin and follow wholeheartedly the Way of Christ, expressed through the gospel message (Mat.3:1-6). The full immersion of the Christian in water is a public demonstration of their profession of faith in Christ Jesus, i.e. His death, burial and resurrection. Water, as an agent of purification, is symbolic of the Christian being 'washed clean' of sin. Moreover, the Christian’s 'resurrection from a watery grave' affirms their hope of eternal life with Christ, who rose from the grave (1Cor.15:3-4, 12-22; Col.2:12; 1Pet.3:21).
  1. Christ, in obedience to the will of Father God, was baptized (Mat.3:13-17).
  2. The first appointed apostles of Christ also baptized new converts / disciples (Jn.4:1-3).
  3. Water baptism remained a fixed doctrine and practise of the early Church (Mat.28:19; Acts 2:38-39,41; 8:12-17,27-39; 9:17-18; 10:36-48; 16:13-15,27-33; 18:8; 19:1-6; Rom.6:1-5; 1Cor.1:13-17; 10:1-2; 15:29; Gal.3:27; Heb.6:1-3).
  4. Being baptized in water is separate / different / distinct from being baptized with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:5, 8). Both forms of baptism are necessary (Jn.3:1-8).
  5. A person is not saved (i.e. born again) by water baptism but by faith in Christ Jesus (Mk.16:15-16; Lk.7:36-50; 8:12; Jn.3:16-17; Acts 2:21; 15:1-20; 16:27-31; Rom.5:9; 8:24; 10:9-13; Eph.2:5, 8-9; 2Tim.3:15; Titus 3:4-7; 1Pet.1:9).
SPIRITUAL BAPTISM:

To be baptized by / in / with the supernatural power and ability of the Holy Spirit constitutes spiritual baptism.
  • This is a gift from Father God which all who believe the gospel are required to receive (Acts 1:4-5, 8; 2:38-39; 3:19; 8:12-17; 9:17-18; 10:1-2, 44-48; 18:24-26; 19:1-6; Jn.3:3-6; 14:26; 15:26; 16:7-11, 13-14; Rom.8:9-11, 14-17).
  1. Spiritual baptism can occur before or after water baptism (Acts 8:12-17; 10:44-48; 19:1-6).
  2. Whether before or after water baptism, faith in Christ Jesus and the doctrine of the Holy Spirit must precede the baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5, 8; 19:1-6; Jn.16:7-11, 13-14).
THE LORD’S SUPPER / HOLY COMMUNION / EUCHARIST:

This 'Supper within a supper', was first introduced by Christ on the "night in which he was betrayed" (1Cor.11:23) during the occasion of the Jewish Passover supper (Exo.12:1-8, 11-20; Lk.22:1-2, 7-8, 14-20).
  • It is given by Christ to His Church in commemoration of His sacrifice, i.e. His death for the atonement of humanity’s sins (Lev.16:6-10, 14-22; Jn.11:47-52; Rom.3:25; Heb.2:17; 1Jn.2:2; 4:10).
  1. It represents the enactment of a New Covenant / Testament by which all who believe in Christ must live by (Heb.9:11-28).
  2. As a commandment from Christ, all Christians are required to commemorate the Lord’s Supper (Exo.16:11-16; Jn.6:32-35, 47-68; 1Cor.11:23-34).
  3. In the NT doctrine of the Church, Christ Jesus is duly observed as the 'Passover Lamb' of Father God (Jn.1:29; 1Pet.1:18-19; Rev.5:6, 9).
  4. The Jewish Passover represents emancipation from Egyptian bondage (Exo.12:24-27). The Christian Passover represents emancipation from the curse of sin (Rom.6:23; 1Cor.15:3-4, 12-22, 26; Heb.10:1-22; Rev.20:14).
  5. The early Church commemorated the Communion of Christ (Acts 2:42, 46; 20:7; 1Cor.10:16-17).
  6. Melchizedek, a symbol / type of Christ in the Old Testament, offered Abram (later Abraham) bread and wine (Gen.14:17-24); a type of Communion which foreshadows Christ’s own Supper and sacrifice (Heb.7:15-22).

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This document was updated Sunday, August 22, 2021. View PAWI's website for more related information at: http://pawi-online.org/

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