Baptism and the Lord's Supper — The Ordinances of the Church

Two Practices From Christ Himself

Unlike many church practices that developed over time through tradition, baptism and the Lord's Supper were directly instituted by Jesus Christ Himself. They are commanded, not optional. And together they form the two great visible proclamations of the gospel in the church's life.

These are variously called "ordinances" (those who prefer to emphasise that Christ ordained them) or "sacraments" (those who prefer to emphasise that God works through them). The terminology differs across traditions; the practices themselves are universal to orthodox Christianity.

Baptism — The Initiating Sign

Jesus commanded baptism as part of the Great Commission: "baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19). It is the initiating rite of the church — the sign that a person has entered the covenant community of God's people.

Baptism signifies:

• **Death and resurrection with Christ** — going under the water represents dying to the old life; coming up represents rising to new life in Christ (Romans 6:3-4)
• **Cleansing from sin** — water is the symbol of washing and purification
• **Union with Christ and His people** — "For in one Spirit we were all baptised into one body." (1 Corinthians 12:13)
• **The new covenant seal** — as circumcision was the covenant sign in the old covenant, baptism is the covenant sign in the new

The question of who should be baptised (believers only, or also infant children of believers) is one of the most significant and longstanding debates in Protestant Christianity. Both positions are held by serious, biblically committed Christians.

The Lord's Supper — The Sustaining Sign

Where baptism initiates, the Lord's Supper sustains — it is the regular, ongoing re-enactment of the gospel at the centre of the church's gathered life. Jesus instituted it on the night of His betrayal: "Do this in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19).

The Lord's Supper:

• **Proclaims the Lord's death** — "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26)
• **Nourishes faith** — participation in the body and blood of Christ sustains and strengthens the believer's union with Him
• **Creates community** — "Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body." (1 Corinthians 10:17)
• **Anticipates the future** — "until he comes" — it looks forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb

Together They Preach the Gospel

Baptism and the Lord's Supper together tell the complete gospel story: initiation into Christ's death and resurrection (baptism), and ongoing participation in the life of Christ who died for His people (the Supper). A church that administers both faithfully is preaching the gospel in visible form every time it gathers.