Christianity: More Than Ceremony 1 Christianity: More Than Ceremony

The 2 Ceremonies of Christianity Baptism – Acts 2:36-42 Communion – I Cor. 11:23-26

Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. - Acts 2:37-38

For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” - Acts 2:39-40

So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. - Acts 2:41-42

Christianity is a way of life defined by what the Bible teaches, especially the New Testament.

Book of James: No Gospel No Baptism/Communion No Theology

James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings. - James 1:1

4 James James – brother of John Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them. - Mt. 4:21

And he had James the brother of John put to death with a sword. - Acts 12:2

James – Son of Alphaeus, Apostle James – brother of John James – Son of Alphaeus, Apostle Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; - Mt. 10:3

4 James James – Father of Judas (not Iscariot) James – brother of John James – Son of Alphaeus, Apostle James – Father of Judas (not Iscariot) And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God. "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. - Luke 16:15-16

James – Earthly brother of Jesus James – brother of John James – Son of Alphaeus, Apostle James – Father of Judas (not Iscariot) James – Earthly brother of Jesus Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? - Mt. 13:55

As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! - Gal. 1:9

All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. - Acts 15:12-13

Therefore His brothers said to Him, “Leave here and go into Judea, so that Your disciples also may see Your works which You are doing. For no one does anything in secret when he himself seeks to be known publicly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” For not even His brothers were believing in Him. - John 7:3-5

When His own people heard of this, they went out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “He has lost His senses.” - Mk. 3:21

then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; - I Cor. 15:7

Synagogue = House of Prayer

Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem. But going on from Perga, they arrived at Pisidian Antioch, and on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. - Acts 13:13-14

After the reading of the Law and the Prophets the synagogue officials sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say it.” - Acts 13:15

The book of James teaches how one can succeed at Practical Christian Living despite obstacles & temptations.

Why Study James? Teaches practical Christian lifestyle in plain language Many ideas – short book Relevant to today’s world