Reading Time: 4 minutesQuestion 09057 The word “ordinance” is the term most Baptists and many other evangelicals use for what other traditions call “sacraments.” The distinction is not pedantic. It reflects a fundamentally different understanding of what baptism and the Lord’s Supper actually are and what they accomplish. The New Testament describes two practices that Christ commanded His…
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Reading Time: 5 minutesQuestion 9009 When a church gathers for the Lord’s Supper, who is welcome at the table? This question has led to different practices among churches, often described as “open communion,” “closed communion,” and “close communion.” Understanding these different approaches will help you navigate the variety of practices you may encounter and think through what your…
Reading Time: 6 minutesQuestion 9006 Alongside baptism, the Lord’s Supper is the other ordinance that Jesus gave to His Church. It has been called by various names: the Lord’s Supper, Communion, the Eucharist, the Breaking of Bread, the Lord’s Table. But what exactly is it? What does it mean? And why do we observe it? These are important…
Reading Time: 5 minutesQuestion 9007 When the bread and cup are passed at the Lord’s Supper, a question naturally arises: who may participate? Is it for everyone present? Only church members? What about visitors? What about children? These are practical questions that churches must answer, and Scripture provides guidance for us. For Believers Only The most fundamental principle…
Reading Time: 5 minutesQuestion 9004 Few questions have divided Christians more than the question of infant baptism. Some denominations practise it; others reject it entirely. Some see it as essential for salvation; others view it as a harmful distortion of the gospel. Where should we stand? As always, our authority must be Scripture, not tradition or sentiment. What…
Reading Time: 5 minutesQuestion 9005 Christians baptise in different ways. Some pour water over the head, some sprinkle water, and some immerse the whole body under water. Does it matter which method we use? Is one mode more biblical than the others? This is a question worth examining carefully, because baptism is not a human invention but a…
Reading Time: 5 minutesQuestion 9003 Baptism is one of the two ordinances that Jesus gave to the Church, and yet it has been a source of disagreement among Christians for centuries. One of the most fundamental questions is simply this: who is a proper candidate for baptism? Should everyone be baptised? Only adults? What about children? Let us…