¶3.1 The two sacraments of the Church are rituals
ordained by God as outward and visible symbols of inward and spiritual
realities.
1. God’s purpose for the sacraments is to
speak symbolically of the two essentials for human salvation.
2. These essentials are “the conversion
experience” and “the saving relationship”.
3. A sacrament in no way, or to any degree,
adds to or consummates the inward reality.
If
we fail to clearly distinguish between the reality and the ritual, confusing
the one for the other, we actually negate the saving grace of God from our
lives. (Galatians 5:2,4; Romans 2:28-29)
¶3.2 BAPTISM.
1. The sacrament of water baptism speaks
symbolically of the conversion experience (the new birth).
2. Conversion to Christ is a cleansing or
washing experience.
3. The historical and universal symbol of
washing is water.
4. It is our belief from scripture that the
proper mode of water baptism is by affusion (sprinkling and pouring).
The
minister shall use the following:
“Dearly beloved the sacrament…(use the 1st three
statements above under Baptism)…”
Then
the minister may read the following:
“Then
Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the
Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you,
and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord
our God shall call. And with many other
words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward
generation. Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them
about three thousand souls. And they
continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking
of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:38-42
“And
in Acts 10:47 Peter asks this important question: ‘can any man forbid water,
that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well
as we? And he commanded them to be baptized.’”
Then shall the minister say
to the persons to be baptized:
“Dearly
beloved who have come here desiring to receive the sacrament of baptism, the
congregation gives thanks to God for your coming, and prays that you shall
continue in Christ, that your faith shall not fail. In the sight of this congregation you are making
known that you have repented of your sins and have received Jesus Christ as
your Savior and Lord. Please kneel.”
Then
the minister shall baptize them saying:
“
(Full Name) , I baptize you in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
¶3.3 COMMUNION
-- The Lord’s Supper.
1. The sacrament of the Lord’s Supper speaks
symbolically of the saving relationship which is mutual indwelling (John
2. By receiving this sacrament we are saying
Christ dwells in us and we are dwelling in Him.
3. The Lord’s Table should have upon it a
clean white cloth. The pure, unfermented
juice of the grape shall be used. It is
custom to receive the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper kneeling, but if persons
so desire, they may receive the elements while seated or standing.
4. The minister may read I Corinthians
11:23-29, 31-32 or other appropriate scripture.
5. Then the minister shall offer prayer
which includes confession of our unworthiness and consecration of the elements.
6. Then the minister and those who serve
with him shall first receive communion. Then shall the minister instruct the
people and invite the communicants to the Lord’s table.
7. After serving both elements the minister
shall say:
“The body of our Lord Jesus Christ which was given for you. Take and eat this, remembering that He died for you, and feed on Him in your heart by faith with thanksgiving.”
“The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you. Drink this, remembering that His blood was shed for you, and be thankful.”
8. When all have communed, the minister
shall cover the remaining elements.