The Church God Blesses (pt 5)

Which leads us to #4. God blesses Churches that faithfully practice the Biblical ordinances.

There are lots of places that mention baptism and communion, but let’s start in Matthew 28:18-20; "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Of course you know the main imperative in this text is to make disciples which is supported by 3 participles (Go to them, baptize them, & teach them). Believer’s baptism is a NT Ordinance. It’s an outward symbol of inward faith in Christ. When someone is drawn to Jesus they should be instructed from the Scriptures with reference to baptism (it’s the first step of obedience for genuine believers, etc, etc).

The Lord’s Supper (or Communion) is the other N.T. church ordinance- In Luke 22:19-20 , Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

1 Cor 11:23ff instructs us that Communion is an opportunity for the church to remember. As humans we’re prone to wander and forget. “So lest we forget Gethsemane, lest we forget Thy love for thee, lest we forgot thy love for thee, led me to Calvary.” We should do this in remembrance of the Lamb of God who took away the sin of the world.

The Lord’s Table also gives the Church a chance to rejoice. Christ died for our sins once for all; the just for the unjust. It’s also an occasion for us to examine ourselves and to confess our sins. Paul offers a caution in 1 Corinthians 11 that should lead us to faithfully examine our hearts and our lives before God. 1 Corinthians 11:26 notes, For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

(#4) God blesses Churches that faithfully practice the Biblical ordinances.