(a)
Baptism in Water
The
ordinance of baptism is commanded in the Scriptures. All who repent and believe
on Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they delcare that they have
died with Christ and that they also have been raised with Him to walk in newness
of life.
"Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," (Matthew 28:19)
"Whoever
believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
(Mark 16:16)
"Then
Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water?
They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they
be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them
for a few days." (Acts 10:47)
"We
were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just
as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may
live a new life." (Romans 6:4)
(b)
Holy Communion
The
Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements--bread and the fruit of the vine--is
the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ,
"Through
these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them
you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world
caused by evil desires." (2 Peter 1:4)
a
memorial of His suffering and death,
"For
whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death
until he comes" (1 corinthians 11:26)
and
a token of love and union which Christians have with Christ and with one another.
Those who rightly, worthily, and in faith, eat the broken bread and drink the
blessed cup partake of the body and blood of Christ in a spiritual manner until
He comes.
