Lesson 7
THE ORDINANCES
Order and obedience
For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints… Let all things be done decently and in order.
The principal ordinances in the Bible are water baptism and the Lords Supper. It is important to obey God, because obedience brings the blessing of God.
Water Baptism
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
The first step of obedience to Christ is to be baptized in water. Water baptism is a simple but powerful demonstration that symbolizes being buried, leaving the life of sin, and being raised to a new life in Christ. It is a public confession of our faith in Jesus. Water baptism does not save us, but all believers are directed to be baptizes upon receiving salvation.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
The Biblical way to BaptizeAct 8:36-38
“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.”
The only requirement to be baptized in water is to be saved. The word “baptize” means to “submerge.” You can baptize in a lake, river or swimming pool. Some churches have a baptistry. The Bible does not indicate a minimum age to be baptized; only that it is for believers.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
If someone has been baptized with another sort of baptism, it is necessary to be baptized again as a testimony of personal faith in Jesus.
The Lords Supper
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
The second ordinance of the church is the Lords Supper. The Lords Supper is sacred and shows our hope of the return of Jesus as Lord. He will come back in the clouds.
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
We break one bread and share one cup. This symbolizes the unity of Christ. If we have sinned consciously, we need to confess it and ask for forgiveness before receiving the Lords Supper.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The bread represents the body of Christ that was broken for our healing. The wine represents the new covenant in the blood of Jesus and forgiveness of our sins. The power of God is present as we celebrate the Lords Supper.
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
The Bible does not indicate that a person needs to be baptized in water or reach a certain age to participate in the Lords Supper. We can celebrate the Lords Supper as families and brothers in the church or at home.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
If the disciple has not been baptized in water as a believer, you can baptize him using these steps.
Ask the disciple “who is your Lord?” to give the opportunity to confess Jesus publicly.
Use this declaration. “By the mandate of Jesus Christ and by your confession, I now baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Instruct how to pinch the nose to hinder the water to get in.
You can serve the Lords Supper to your disciple and explain its significance. Remember to give thanks to God for the bread and the wine.
Summary
- Everyone that has received Jesus needs to be baptized in water.
- The Lords Supper is a celebration to remember what Jesus did for us.
Goals for this lesson
The goals are written to the mentor, about the disciple.
- Baptize the disciple if he has not been baptized correctly before.
- Celebrate the Lords Supper and teach the disciple about its significance.