Christian Doctrine For Everyman

PART VIII THE DOCTRINE OF THE CHURCH

During our last lesson we completed part 2, of the Nature of the local Church. We learned that there were three noticeable characteristics of the church: The church is not the building; it is the BELIEVERS The church is not the building; it is the BELIEVERS These believers all identify with Christ and each other through being BAPTIZED These believers all identify with Christ and each other through being BAPTIZED The local church is not an organization, but a spiritual ORGANISM The local church is not an organization, but a spiritual ORGANISM

Tonight, we will begin to study the first of two ordinances of the local church. Ordinances can be defined as “authoritative rules.” The word is used 57 times in the Bible; 48 in the Old Testament. The Hebrew form of the word is also translated as “stature” and has to do with the “manner” in which something is done. It was a legal, ritual obligation. In the New Testament, the word has a broad range of definitions. The common use is “requirements.”

One of the New Testament meanings of the word ordinance, is “a legal document of proof.” In the First Century church era, ordinances were not optional. Failure to participate or to take them seriously and respectfully was considered evidence of a false conversion. Although not specifically stated in the Bible, the time honored traditions among most believers is that there are only two ordinances of the church. Lets look at the first.

SESSION #43 THE ORDINANCE OF BAPTISM

FIVE POINTS OF EMPHASIS 1. An Obligation 2. The Mode 3. The Subjects 4. The Administrator 5. The Design

AN OBLIGATION The verb form of the word “obligate” implies being bound to someone or something because of a debt owed. Water baptism has more to do with identification with Christ and each other than it does about ritual cleansing. Every believer is indebted to Jesus for His free gift of salvation. Thus, we are obligated to follow His act of baptism. It is part of our Christian reasonable service (Romans 12:2).

THE MODE New Testament mode of baptism is clearly defined by the meaning of the Greek word "baptize," as well as the descriptions of baptism recorded in the Bible. Baptism comes from the Greek word baptizo which means to "dip under", "plunge", or "sink". The original use of the word was the process used to dye fabric to change the color. Total immersion was necessary.

THE SUBJECTS The New Testament teaches that only believers should be baptized. That is, those who have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. The New Testament never recorded any event to the contrary. The ritual implies an act of faith, trust and repentance of a sinner. It was a personal experience undertaken after conversion and profession of faith. Baptism is a conscious choice by the individual.

THE ADMINISTRATOR There are two reasons that the responsibility for administering the ordinance rests with the local church. 1.Baptism is not an ordinance which may be administered by an individual Christian simply at his own discretion (Matthew 28:19-20). 2.Baptism is a means of publicly confessing Christ and identifying oneself with the local congregation of believers.

THE DESIGN Baptism is a symbol; it is not designed to save or help save. The purpose is to signify or picture three things: 1.The believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior 2.The believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ 3.The belief and hope of the final resurrection of the dead

MAKING IT MAKE SENSE

AN ORDINANCE “ Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, … (Mark 16:16a) This verse is used by some to say that baptism is a perquisite to salvation. But there are two questions that must be answered: 1. Which baptism is Jesus speaking of, water or fire? Mark 1:8 (ESV) I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 3:11 “fire”)

2. Why did Jesus omit the word baptize in the latter part of the verse? but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16, ESV) Notice, Jesus did not say whoever does not believe and is not baptized. Jesus was speaking of something far greater than water baptism. The Bible records an event when two of Jesus’ disciples asked to be placed into a special position in the coming Kingdom. Jesus replied:

Mark 10:38-39(ESV) Mark 10:38-39(ESV) Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, Jesus used "baptism“ as a picture of being plunged or immersed into an overwhelming and difficult position. He was referring to His death on the Cross.

Earlier, Jesus had made this profound statement: Mark 8:34 Mark 8:34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. To share in His baptism is to share in His death. Therefore, Mark 16:16, must be taken in this context. To do otherwise is to violate proper text consideration. There are 15 other times the phrase “shall be saved” is used in the Bible. None mentions baptism.

ORDINANCE FOUNDATION Matthew 3:13 Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him. Jesus had no need to be baptized unto repentance because He never sinned. His purpose was to identify with us who have sinned. The ordinance of baptism acknowledges this fact.

STUDENTS ASSIGNMENT Study PART VIII, THE NATURE OF THE CHURCH, Session 44, “The Ordinances: The Lord’s Supper” page 88. Then name the three points of emphasis: 1.Its ____________ 2.The ____________ 3.Its ____________