Deliberate Church: Chapter 10

Chapter 10 – The Role of the Ordinances

Baptism
“Matthew 28:18-20 indicates that it is for believers only, the initial step of obedience in our new life of discipleship to Christ. Romans 6:1-4 is even more specific, indicating that baptism symbolizes our death and burial with Christ as our representative head, and our spiritual resurrection with Him from the symbolic grave. Colossians 2:11-13 indicates even more specifically still that baptism is the physical representation of the spiritual circumcision of our hearts.”

Baptism is the ordinance that guards the front door of the local church.

“Waiting to baptize the young until they’ve reached their majority helps to ensure that we do not wrongly affirm a spurious profession with the sign of baptism.”

The Lord’s Supper
“Taking the Lord’s Supper is a participation in the unity of the church’s fellowship around the remembrance of Jesus Christ and the proclamation of His saving person and work through the symbols of bread and wine.”

As baptism guards the front door of the church, the Lord’s Supper takes its post at the back door.

Conclusion
“Both ordinances serve as symbolic identity markers that clarify which people are members of the church.”