Eschatology and Eschatology and EcclesiologyEcclesiology

The Ordinances of the ChurchThe Ordinances of the Church

““Sacrament” and Sacrament” and “Ordinance”“Ordinance”

““Sacrament” originally carried the idea of that which Sacrament” originally carried the idea of that which was consecrated or sacred. was consecrated or sacred. Over time the meaning shifted more towards anything Over time the meaning shifted more towards anything

which had a secret or mysterious significance...eventually which had a secret or mysterious significance...eventually even to almost magical power, e.g. the power of the Roman even to almost magical power, e.g. the power of the Roman Catholic priest to convert the elements to the body and Catholic priest to convert the elements to the body and blood of Christ.blood of Christ.

““Ordinance” (“a row, an order”) places emphasis Ordinance” (“a row, an order”) places emphasis upon rites ordained by the Lord Himself, not upon rites ordained by the Lord Himself, not conveying grace but serving as symbols.conveying grace but serving as symbols.

The NT provides two clear ordinances for believers:The NT provides two clear ordinances for believers: BaptismBaptism Lord’s SupperLord’s Supper

The Ordinance of BaptismThe Ordinance of Baptism

Background of Christian Background of Christian Baptism: John the BaptistBaptism: John the Baptist

John’s baptism was not tied to the death, John’s baptism was not tied to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.burial, and resurrection of Christ.

It is to be distinguished from baptism into It is to be distinguished from baptism into Christ (Acts 19:2-5).Christ (Acts 19:2-5).

John’s was a baptism of repentance for John’s was a baptism of repentance for Israel in preparation for the coming Israel in preparation for the coming Messiah and His kingdom (Matt 3:1-3) and Messiah and His kingdom (Matt 3:1-3) and served to identify those who accepted served to identify those who accepted John’s message (Matt 3:4-5).John’s message (Matt 3:4-5).

The Institution of BaptismThe Institution of Baptism Commanded by Christ (Matt 28:18-Commanded by Christ (Matt 28:18-

20).20). Practiced by the NT church (Acts Practiced by the NT church (Acts

2:38,41; 8:12, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47; 2:38,41; 8:12, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47; 16:14-15, 33; 18:8; 19:5).16:14-15, 33; 18:8; 19:5).

Taught in the epistles (Rom 6:1-5; 1 Taught in the epistles (Rom 6:1-5; 1 Pet 3:21).Pet 3:21).

The Meaning of BaptismThe Meaning of Baptism

Identification with Christ. “Into His Identification with Christ. “Into His name” (Acts 2:38; 8:16) implies His name” (Acts 2:38; 8:16) implies His ownership.ownership.

Identification with Christ’s body.Identification with Christ’s body. Uniting with the Head means uniting with Uniting with the Head means uniting with

His body (1 Cor 12:12; Rom 12:4-5).His body (1 Cor 12:12; Rom 12:4-5). Baptism is one’s public identification with Baptism is one’s public identification with

the visible body of Christ’s church.the visible body of Christ’s church. Baptism in the NT followed closely upon Baptism in the NT followed closely upon

conversion (Acts 10:47-48; 16:33). conversion (Acts 10:47-48; 16:33).

The Efficacy of BaptismThe Efficacy of Baptism

““Christian baptism is conversion baptism. It formed Christian baptism is conversion baptism. It formed in the New Testament the final act of the in the New Testament the final act of the repentance-belief-baptism response to the repentance-belief-baptism response to the proclamation of the gospel. Thus, although proclamation of the gospel. Thus, although salvation is through faith, baptism as the salvation is through faith, baptism as the expression of this faith was often joined to the expression of this faith was often joined to the reality. . . . The relation between baptism and faith reality. . . . The relation between baptism and faith must never be construed, however, so as to make must never be construed, however, so as to make the rite the rite the faiththe faith which brings salvation. Rather, in which brings salvation. Rather, in every biblical example, the inward, saving faith every biblical example, the inward, saving faith precedes baptism, and in some instances at least, precedes baptism, and in some instances at least, it is clearly manifest that the gifts of salvation are it is clearly manifest that the gifts of salvation are bestowed as the fruit of that faith prior to baptism” bestowed as the fruit of that faith prior to baptism” (Saucy, (Saucy, The Church in God’s ProgramThe Church in God’s Program, pp. 197-98)., pp. 197-98).

The Subjects of BaptismThe Subjects of Baptism

Baptism is for believers only.Baptism is for believers only. Note the command in Matt 28:18-20. Those Note the command in Matt 28:18-20. Those

who were baptized were first disciples and who were baptized were first disciples and capable of being taught.capable of being taught.

The consistent pattern of NT practice was The consistent pattern of NT practice was hearing, believing, and being baptized. hearing, believing, and being baptized.

There is no mention of baptizing infants in the There is no mention of baptizing infants in the NT.NT.

Water baptism is an outward expression of Water baptism is an outward expression of an inward reality of salvation by faith in an inward reality of salvation by faith in Christ and His atoning work.Christ and His atoning work.

The Mode of Baptism: The Mode of Baptism: ImmersionImmersion

The meaning of The meaning of bapti,zwbapti,zw is “I dip, immerse.” is “I dip, immerse.” Greek has other terms for “sprinkling” and Greek has other terms for “sprinkling” and

“pouring” that are used in the NT, but not for the “pouring” that are used in the NT, but not for the act of baptism.act of baptism.

All actual baptisms in the New Testament All actual baptisms in the New Testament either demand or imply immersion (e.g. either demand or imply immersion (e.g. Mark 1:9-10; John 3:23; Acts 8:36).Mark 1:9-10; John 3:23; Acts 8:36).

The witness of church history consistently The witness of church history consistently teaches immersion.teaches immersion. Pouring and sprinkling were used at times Pouring and sprinkling were used at times

because of water shortage and as an because of water shortage and as an accommodation to those too sick to be accommodation to those too sick to be immersed.immersed.

The Ordinance of the The Ordinance of the Lord’s SupperLord’s Supper

Different Names for the Lord’s Different Names for the Lord’s SupperSupper

Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:20)Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11:20) Communion (“sharing”; 1 Cor 10:16)Communion (“sharing”; 1 Cor 10:16) Eucharist (“giving of thanks”; 1 Cor Eucharist (“giving of thanks”; 1 Cor

11:24)11:24) Breaking of bread (Acts 2:42; 20:7)Breaking of bread (Acts 2:42; 20:7) Lord’s Table (1 Cor 10:21)Lord’s Table (1 Cor 10:21)

The Institution of the Lord’s The Institution of the Lord’s SupperSupper

InstitutedInstituted by Christ on the evening of by Christ on the evening of His death (Matt 26:26-28).His death (Matt 26:26-28).

PracticedPracticed by the early church (Acts by the early church (Acts 2:42-47).2:42-47).

ExplainedExplained by Paul in the epistles (1 by Paul in the epistles (1 Cor 11:23-26).Cor 11:23-26).

The Teaching of the Lord’s The Teaching of the Lord’s SupperSupper

A memorial of Christ and His atoning work A memorial of Christ and His atoning work (Mark 14:24; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24-26).(Mark 14:24; Luke 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24-26).

A proclamation of His death A proclamation of His death until He comesuntil He comes (1 Cor 11:26).(1 Cor 11:26).

A symbol of the cardinal doctrines of the A symbol of the cardinal doctrines of the GospelGospel Teaches redemption by the death of Christ.Teaches redemption by the death of Christ. Teaches union of the believer with Christ (1 Cor Teaches union of the believer with Christ (1 Cor

10:16).10:16). Teaches fellowship of Christians with one Teaches fellowship of Christians with one

another (1 Cor 10:17).another (1 Cor 10:17).

The Significance of the Lord’s The Significance of the Lord’s SupperSupper

According to Transubstantiation According to Transubstantiation (Romanism)(Romanism) Bread and wine become the actual body and Bread and wine become the actual body and

blood of Christ.blood of Christ. According to Consubstantiation According to Consubstantiation

(Lutheranism)(Lutheranism) Body and blood of Christ are “in, with, and Body and blood of Christ are “in, with, and

under” the elements.under” the elements. According to the Reformed ViewAccording to the Reformed View

The elements are mere symbols of His death, The elements are mere symbols of His death, but in partaking there is a real partaking of but in partaking there is a real partaking of Christ in His redemptive presence.Christ in His redemptive presence.

According to the Memorial ViewAccording to the Memorial View Formulated by Zwingli, the Lord’s Supper is a Formulated by Zwingli, the Lord’s Supper is a

memorial of Christ’s death. He is not physically memorial of Christ’s death. He is not physically present, but spiritually present for believers in a present, but spiritually present for believers in a special way during the supper.special way during the supper.

The Participants of the Lord’s The Participants of the Lord’s SupperSupper

BelieversBelievers – only those who are part of – only those who are part of Christ’s body are entitled to partake.Christ’s body are entitled to partake.

Examined believersExamined believers – not sinlessness, – not sinlessness, but one’s attitude towards the Lord but one’s attitude towards the Lord and his fellow believers must be right and his fellow believers must be right (1 Cor 11:28).(1 Cor 11:28).

Assembled believers Assembled believers – the supper is – the supper is to be taken when the church is to be taken when the church is assembled together (Acts 20:7).assembled together (Acts 20:7).

The Procedure for the Lord’s The Procedure for the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor 11)Supper (1 Cor 11)

Prayer of thanksgiving over the Prayer of thanksgiving over the elementselements

The successive distribution of the The successive distribution of the bread and cup to allbread and cup to all

The recalling of the words of Jesus The recalling of the words of Jesus explaining the bread and the cup as explaining the bread and the cup as representative of His body and blood representative of His body and blood in sacrifice for His people, and inviting in sacrifice for His people, and inviting them to “take” and “eat”them to “take” and “eat”

Eating and drinking the elementsEating and drinking the elements

Next Time: The Church in Next Time: The Church in God’s ProgramGod’s Program

Enns pp. 347-366Enns pp. 347-366

Saucy pp. 69-97Saucy pp. 69-97