I. BAPTISM
Baptism is the initiatory rite into the Church.
Corporately, baptism shows how “one” individual becomes part of the “many” of the Church through the Church’s approval and acceptance of the addition of the baptized believer into the Body of Christ and adoption into the Family of God. (Matt. 18:18-20; 1 Cor. 12:12-27; Eph. 4:4-6).
Individually, baptism shows how one is committing to a local Church* in obedience to Christ’s command to repent from sin, believe in the Gospel, and be baptized into the Church (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38).
We believe Baptism to be by immersion in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and should only be done by spiritually saved individuals who have come to trust and believe in the saving work of Jesus Christ and subsequent reception of Holy Spirit. Baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at salvation and not later in sanctification (Matt. 3:11; Eph. 1:13-14).
Believer’s Baptism symbolizes the conscious effort of the Christian to declare publicly their inward faith by illustrating their being buried with Christ by baptism into death and their being risen to walk in newness of life in the likeness of His Resurrection (Rom. 6:1-11; 1 Pet. 3:19-21). Baptism confirms that one’s old nature and sinful life has been put to death and passed away, and their ongoing Christian witness confirms their new nature and holy lifestyle in obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 5:14-21; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:11-13).
II. THE LORD’S SUPPER
The Lord’s Supper is the continuing rite of the Church member within the Church.
Corporately, the Lord’s Supper shows the New Covenant of Grace through us looking up to remember the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross (John 6:32-39). It also shows us how we can fellowship with the Spiritual Family around us at God’s Table because of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16-22, 11:17-34). The “many” can feast because of the “One,” Jesus Christ. (Rev. 3:20-21).
Individually, the Lord’s Supper trains our focus on the Death of Christ. In the breaking of bread and drinking of the juice we remember the breaking of His Body and the shedding of His Blood on the Cross of Calvary. In so doing, we also proclaim His effective death as we look forward to His Return. (Matt. 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:14-23).
Because we hold that Communion is a memorial and a symbolic representation of the Last Supper, we believe that any Christian in good standing can administer the meal. We do, however, prioritize the right of Elders & Deacons to administer the meal.
This continuing rite can happen daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly, but we believe a mixture is best practice (Acts 2:42). We offer four Open Table Communion opportunities for the Church Family quarterly on Sundays, and we offer 12 Open Table Communion opportunities the last Wednesday of every month throughout the year. To participate in Open Table, one must be a spiritual member of the Universal Church and must be a participating member in good standing of another Local Church.