Systematic Theology III The Doctrine of the Church The Ordinances of Baptism and Communion in the Local Church

Introduction: The Definition of a Local Church Ordinance Ordinances are “visible signs which appeal to the senses, [and] teaching institutions which appeal to the understanding and the heart” (Edward T. Hiscox, as cited in McCune, p. 269). Some of adopted the term sacrament for the idea of ordinance. In theology this term has come to denote “a mysterious, if not magical, means of grace. Baptists reject the term sacrament as well as any notions of a material substance conveying spiritual grace” (McCune, p. 269). In applying the definition, McCune suggest a biblical ordinance must have the following four ingredients: Sovereign authorization by the Lord Jesus Christ Symbolism of saving truth Specific command for perpetuation Biblical evidence of historical fulfillment or practice

Proof of Baptism as a Valid Ordinance Sovereign Authorization by the Lord Jesus Christ This comes from the Great Commission: “baptizing [disciples] in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19b). Symbolic of Saving Truth Water baptism is a symbol of the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. Specific Command for Perpetuation Same as above. Biblical Evidence of Historic Fulfillment “Acts is replete with evidence that the early church practiced this ordinance” (McCune, p. 270). See Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 36; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:14-15, 33; 18:8; 19:5.

The Mode of Baptism: Immersion “Water baptism is by immersion only…John Broadus says that the idea of ‘mode’ begs the question. The real question is, ‘What is baptism’” (McCune, p. 271). The Meaning of the Verb Baptizo – “to dip, submerge, or immerse”. The Prepositions Used with Baptizo – into or in, meaning immersion. The Attending Circumstances – See Mark 1:10; John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39. The Symbolism Involved “Baptism is…a memorial of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, as well as a symbol of the believer’s spiritual participation in His death, burial and resurrection” (McCune, p. 272). Affusion (pouring) – pouring out of the Spirit on the believer. Aspersion (sprinkling) – cleansing of the blood of Christ.

The Meaning of Baptism “Water baptism has symbolic value only. No spiritual power is transferred to the candidate by the ordinance. It is not a means of grace in the normal acceptance of the idea that involves a spiritual transaction in the person’s experience” (McCune, p. 273). Commemorative: A Memorial “Baptism… is a historical monument. It witnesses to the world that Jesus died and rose again” (Strong, as cited in Mcune, p. 273). See Romans 6:3-4. Emblematic: A Symbol Water baptism is a picture of what has already taken place in the life of a believer: his union with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection to new life.

The Participants in Baptism Only True Believers Baptism has symbolic and pictorial value only; it does not complete salvation, as is taught in baptismal regeneration. The Commands concerning Baptism Matt 28:19 says “make disciples” first; Act 2:38 says “repent”, then be baptized. The Practice of the Early Church As we saw in the earlier references in Acts, people believed, then were baptized. The Nature of the Church “The church is a company of Spirit baptized, regenerated persons…One must have received the actual ministry of Spirit baptism before the symbol of that ministry can be performed on him validly” (McCune, p. 275). The Symbolism of the Ordinance As discussed above, water baptism is a public picture of what has already taken place in the life of a believer. No Evidence of Infant Baptism “It is maintained by paedobaptists that the so-called household baptisms mentioned in the New Testament included the children of believing parents. But the incidents of household baptisms denote, in each case, preaching, believing and baptism in that order” (McCune, p. 276).

The Administration of Baptism The Local Church Administers Baptism “The local church is the custodian of the ordinances and it alone can arrange for baptism” (McCune, p. 277). Water Baptism is Administered Only Once Properly “Water baptism is a symbol of Spirit baptism which occurs only once. Baptism by immersion may be repeated if the candidate was not saved at the time of the original baptism” (McCune, p. 277). Baptism and Church Membership “Water baptism is a symbol of Spirit baptism. Spirit baptism places one into the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13): water baptism places one into the membership of the local church” (McCune, p. 278).

The Ordinance of Communion in the Local Church

Proof of Communion as a Valid Ordinance Sovereign Authorization by the Lord Jesus Christ “The Lord authorized this ordinance for His future church on the eve of His death as part of His preparation of the disciples for His absence (Matt 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-20)” (McCune, p. 279). Symbolic of Saving Truth “Communion is symbolic of the broken body and shed blood of Jesus by which atonement was made for sin” (McCune, p. 279). Specific Command for Perpetuation See Luke 22:19 and 1 Cor 11:23-25. Biblical Evidence of Historic Fulfillment “The very first church on the beginning day of its existence gathered together to break bread (Acts 2:42). At Troas, Paul and his missionary party ‘gathered together to break bread’ (Acts 20:7)” (McCune, p. 279).

The Meaning of Communion Commemorative: A Memorial “The Lord’s table is a memorial to the historic event of the cross that secured salvation, a looking back to His broken body and shed blood…Paul taught the Corinthians that the bread and the cup were both to be taken “in remembrance of Me,” and in so doing the participant would be proclaiming “the Lord’s death” until He comes (1 Cor 11:24-26) (McCune, p. 280). Emblematic: A Symbol “Communion is a symbol or token of the believer’s previous participation in the benefits of the atonement – Christ’s broken body and shed blood…It is a “sharing” in the body and blood of Christ, obviously in a symbolic, non-sacramentarian way (1 Cor 10:16) (McCune, p. 280). Predictive: A Prophecy “Communion is a prophecy of the final gathering of the saints and Christ in the millennial kingdom and the continual direct fellowship from then on throughout eternity. Paul’s words are, “You proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor 11::26) (McCune, p. 281). See also Matt 26:29.

Erroneous Views on the Meaning of Communion Transubstantiation “This is the Roman Catholic view that says that the bread and wine are changed by priestly consecration into the very body and blood of Christ. This body and blood form a new sacrifice that is then offered in an unbloody manner by means of a ritualistic pageant (the mass). The substance (or, inner reality) of the bread and wine change into Christ’s body and blood while the accidents (or, outer appearance) remain the same (McCune, p. 281). Consubstantiation “This is usually called the Lutheran view although others hold to it (e.g., Episcopalians). This says that the corporeal body of Christ is in, with and under the bread and wine. This association is not permanent and is not effected by a priest but by the Word of God…This view stresses the real, corporeal presence of Jesus in the communion elements” (McCune, p. 282). The Dynamic Presence of Christ “This is associated with many Reformed groups. Calvin and others believed that Christ is spiritually present or dynamically present in the communion elements. Christ exerts and influential presence and in some mystical sense is spiritually received in the communion” (McCune, p. 282).

The Participants in Communion There are four prerequisites for partaking of the Lord’s Table Regeneration – “Those in the early church first ‘received His word’ and afterward engaged in the ‘breaking of bread and prayer’ (Acts 2:41)” (McCune, p. 282). Baptism “‘Those who had received his word were baptized.’ And, these gave themselves to, among other things, the breaking of bread (Acts 2:41)” (McCune, p. 283). Church Membership “Since communion is a local church ordinance, one must be a member to partake…Those who broke bread (Acts 2:42) were those who had received the word of Peter, were baptized, and were admitted (“added”) to membership that day” (McCune, p. 283). An Orderly Walk “A believer who is guilty of serious sins and is not walking orderly can be excluded from the Lord’s table” (McCune, p. 283). See 1 Cor “Baptism and church membership are inseparable in the New Testament” (McCune, p. 283).

The Practical Observance of Communion Two Approaches Unrestricted Communion “This is most often termed open communion because in this practice communion is served to any believer present. In this view, there are no terms for communion that are not terms for salvation itself. This is probably the most popular way the ordinance of communion is practiced. But there are serious problems and objections to it…In truth, every believer has a right to the Lord’s table in this view. In discounting the role of church membership as a requisite, unrestricted communion thereby tends to do away with visible church membership altogether” (McCune, p. 284). Restricted or Strict Communion – Two types: Closed communion – “…holds that the bread and cup should be served only to believers who are immersed and members in good standing of the serving church” (McCune, p. 285). Close communion – “…maintains that the elements may be served to immersed believers who are members in good standing of the serving church or of another church of like faith and practice” (McCune, p. 285). McCune favors close communion.

The Administration of Communion Only the Local Church Can Administer Communion “As is the case of baptism, only the local church is the God-appointed custodian of communion. And, its observance is to be public. A. H. Strong is manifestly correct: ‘It is to be celebrated by the assembled church. It is not a solitary observance on the part of individuals. No ‘showing forth’ is possible except in company’” (McCune, p. 286). Communion is to be Observed Regularly and Frequently Though scripture does not spell out how often, it should be frequent enough to keep the significance of Christ’s sacrifice continually before His people.

Next Time: The Doctrine of the Church The Discipline of the Local Church