Sunday School 10:00-10:45
Worship 11:00
What Else Do We Believe?
Beyond the Basics
Baptism
Baptism is one of the two sacraments ordained by Christ.
It is defined as: "a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein Christ has ordained the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, to be a sign and seal of ingrafting into himself, of remission of sins by his blood, and regeneration by his Spirit; of adoption, and resurrection unto everlasting life; and whereby the parties baptized are solemnly admitted into the visible church, and enter into an open and professed engagement to be wholly and only the Lord’s."
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It is the New Testament fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrament of Circumcision. As such, Baptism is properly administered to believers and to their children. It marks us out as belonging to God, and as members of His Covenant community. Since it points us to how Jesus saves us: apart from our works, and before we knew Him. He does it, and not we ourselves. It is not a sacrament showing that we chose God, but that He chose us. Because of this, a person is only to be baptized once.
The Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, is the other sacrament of the New Testament. It is defined as: "a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, his death is showed forth; and they that worthily communicate feed upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace; have their union and communion with him confirmed; testify and renew their thankfulness, and engagement to God, and their mutual love and fellowship each with other, as members of the same mystical body."
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It is the fulfillment of the Old Testament sacrament of the Passover. It represents to us the same things, namely that we have been delivered from slavery to freedom, that we are right with God, and that He will lead us through our struggles until we receive the fulness of His Covenant. It is not for those who have no sin, but for those who have repented of their sins, and who are actively trusting in Christ for their salvation. The Lord's Supper is for all persons who have been baptized, have confessed their sin, and are trusting in God's promise to them in Jesus.