Baptism & Communion
Our church has two “ordinances”, i.e. ordered or appointed rituals: baptism and the Lord’s Supper or communion. (A few Mennonite and Brethren groups add a third, foot-washing.)
We believe in ‘believer’s baptism’ as opposed to infant baptism. We believe baptism is something you choose to do, not something others choose to do to you. We see baptism as an external symbol of one’s internal profession of faith, taking what’s inside and making it public. We also see baptism as tied to local church membership (see my blog ‘Members Only!’). If you were only baptized as an infant and wish to be a member of our church, we require you to submit to believer’s baptism.
The apostles left no command regarding when or how often to share in communion. Most evangelicals observe it monthly; our church used to do so but recently switched to a quarterly observance.
We believe the bread and wine are symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, eaten and drunk to remind us of the forgiveness of our sins accomplished by the death of Christ. As Jesus said: “Do this in memory of me”. We have always used grape juice rather than wine for the sake of children and recovering alcoholics who partake.
Some churches observe closed communion, serving only church (or denominational) members. Our church has always practiced open communion, inviting any professing Christian present to share with us in the ordinance.
Both believer’s baptism and communion are symbolic acts. Baptism communicates our commitment of faith at the outset of our walk with the Lord. In communion we regularly remind our own hearts that the basis of our forgiveness is the death of Christ, not our own good works.
Here is our statement of faith regarding the ordinances:
We believe that the baptism of believers and the communion of the Lord's Supper are the two ordinances to be observed by the church during this present age. These ordinances, however, are not to be regarded as a means of salvation.
In the next blog, I’ll start addressing the final points of our statement of faith: what we believe about the end times.
We believe in ‘believer’s baptism’ as opposed to infant baptism. We believe baptism is something you choose to do, not something others choose to do to you. We see baptism as an external symbol of one’s internal profession of faith, taking what’s inside and making it public. We also see baptism as tied to local church membership (see my blog ‘Members Only!’). If you were only baptized as an infant and wish to be a member of our church, we require you to submit to believer’s baptism.
The apostles left no command regarding when or how often to share in communion. Most evangelicals observe it monthly; our church used to do so but recently switched to a quarterly observance.
We believe the bread and wine are symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, eaten and drunk to remind us of the forgiveness of our sins accomplished by the death of Christ. As Jesus said: “Do this in memory of me”. We have always used grape juice rather than wine for the sake of children and recovering alcoholics who partake.
Some churches observe closed communion, serving only church (or denominational) members. Our church has always practiced open communion, inviting any professing Christian present to share with us in the ordinance.
Both believer’s baptism and communion are symbolic acts. Baptism communicates our commitment of faith at the outset of our walk with the Lord. In communion we regularly remind our own hearts that the basis of our forgiveness is the death of Christ, not our own good works.
Here is our statement of faith regarding the ordinances:
We believe that the baptism of believers and the communion of the Lord's Supper are the two ordinances to be observed by the church during this present age. These ordinances, however, are not to be regarded as a means of salvation.
In the next blog, I’ll start addressing the final points of our statement of faith: what we believe about the end times.