The Church and the Ordinances

GOLDEN TEXT: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” —Matthew 28:19,20

ACTS 2:38-41; I CORINTHIANS 11:23-29

THERE are only two ordinances enjoined upon the followers of Christ; one is baptism and the other is commemorating his death by partaking of the “bread” and the “cup.” Both of these are figurative in character, and a rich blessing is derived from observing them when their symbolic meaning is properly understood.

The full truth concerning baptism is not contained in the account of the three thousand who were baptized at Pentecost, for these were all Jews, and were baptized for the remission of sin, which had the same significance as John’s baptism. The whole nation of Israel was baptized, Paul explains, into Moses, “in the cloud and in the sea.” (I Cor. 10:2) This, of course, was on a representative basis—a national baptism.

Individually, many Israelites failed to be loyal to Moses and to the Law administered by him. John’s baptism for the remission of sin represented the repentance of the baptized one, and his desire to come into harmony with Moses. All such who believed in Christ were simply transferred from Moses to Christ. So it was with the Jews who accepted Christ at Pentecost. At that time the special covenant arrangement with Israel was still in force, and all they needed to do was to repent and be immersed for the remission of their sin, and then were accepted into Christ.

But this arrangement did not continue, as Paul explains in Acts 19:3-5. He had found “certain disciples” at Ephesus, and inquired of them, “Unto what … were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

In Romans 6:3,4 Paul explains that Christian baptism is a burial into Christ’s death, and this death baptism is symbolized by water immersion, which is what Jesus refers to in our Golden Text when he said that it should be done “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” This symbolic baptism follows the true baptism; that is, the burial of the will into the will of God, through Christ. By it, one testifies to the work of grace already begun in the heart.

It is a beautiful symbol. As the one being immersed is lowered into the water his burial into Christ’s death is represented. As he is lifted out of the water there is pictured his rising to walk in newness of life, and also his complete raising up in the “first resurrection” to live and reign with Christ.

Commemorating the death of Jesus by partaking of the “bread” and the “cup” is also a beautiful ordinance. Jesus enjoined this on his followers the night before he was crucified. Paul said, “As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.” (I Cor. 11:26) Jesus explained that the “bread” represented his broken body, and the “cup” his shed blood—broken and shed for his followers, and for the whole world of mankind.

In Paul’s lesson on the subject he reveals an additional meaning; namely, that it also pictures our communion, or common participation in the death of Jesus. We have the privilege of drinking of Jesus’ “cup” of suffering and death, and of being baptized with his baptism, which was a baptism of death. So when we partake of the emblems which picture his death, it is a renewal of our own pledge to suffer and die with him.

Paul writes, “As often” as ye do this. Some have taken from this that it is appropriate to commemorate the death of Jesus through this ordinance as frequently as we may feel disposed. Some, for instance, hold “communion,” as they call it, every Sunday morning; others once a month; others once every three months.

To us it seems more reasonable that the death of Jesus be commemorated but once a year, and then on the proper anniversary, date. There is a peculiar fitness in this, especially if we observe it on the date of the original Jewish passover, which is the fourteenth of the Jewish month Nisan. The month Nisan begins with the first new moon nearest the spring equinox. This year the 14th of Nisan falls on April 13. Since the biblical day begins at sundown, the proper time for commemorating the death of Jesus will be after sundown, on Tuesday, April 12. Groups of Christians all over the world will come together that evening to partake of the “Memorial Supper.” It is a solemn occasion, and always draws the sincere participants closer to the Lord.

QUESTIONS

What are the only two ordinances enjoined upon Christians?

What was the purpose of “John’s baptism”?

What does water baptism signify to the Christian today?

What is represented by the “Bread” and the “Cup” of which Christians partake in the Lord’s Supper?

How often should Christians commemorate the death of Jesus?

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