Ashley Gordon

TH 104 Ecclesiology

Dr. Knoblet

Submission Three

1. Explain the word “baptism.” Why do we have it in the local church?

The meaning of “baptism” is; Based upon the practice of the apostles and

the example of the early church, it appears that only those who were

baptized participated in the Lord's Supper. Baptism is placed first in

prominence after the exercise of faith in the process of disciple-making.

Christ's words in Matt. 28:19,20 are clear: make disciples, baptize them, and

teach them to observe all things which He has commanded. Acts 2: 41,42

sets forth the company of believers continued steadfastly in the apostles

doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread. Baptism is an act of

obedience to Christ. One who is of mature age, knows he is saved and

refuses to submit to baptism is simply a disobedient believer. In the New

Testament baptism is associated with repentance and forgiveness (Acts

2:38; 22:16), the believer's union with Christ (Rom 6:1-10), and with the

making of disciples or followers of Christ. The basic theological concept is

that of one's identification with another, or a group, or a position. This is

borne out by a study of the uses of the word in the New Testament. For the

study at hand, ritual baptism of the believer, it concerns his identification

with the Gospel message, the person of the savior, and with His people, (the

body of Christ and particularly that group known as the local church).

Baptism is an important symbol. The notion that baptism in some way

 completes (or effects) salvation is completely erroneous and is out of

harmony with the teaching of the New Testament. It is the blood of Christ

that cleanses from sin and not the water of baptism (Eph 1:7; Heb 9:14; 1

John 1:7; Rev 1:5). Baptism looks back and in symbolic form may testify to

this cleansing, but it does not cause the cleansing from sin. We have

baptism in the local church, to show our relationship with Christ and show

our church family that we have made a commitment to follow Christ. Shows

the believer union with Christ. Local church is there to support your

relationship with Christ.

2. Write a paragraph about the Jewish Passover. How does this relate to our

communion?

In Exodus 12 tells about the Jewish Passover;

3. Did the Lord give the New Covenant to the Church? Is the Lord's Supper the

New Covenant?