THE SYMBOLS OF THE GOSPEL

 

 Why People are Divided over the Ordinances

 

      No other topics have caused so much persecution of saints and division than the ordinances of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Why?

 

1. Sentimental Traditionalism: Some people simply do not care what God says about it. Their mother and father or family have done it this way and to challenge it is IN THEIR MINDS to challenge the salvation of family members.  They cling to a false tradition in order to defend the honor of their family while dishonoring the God they claim to obey. There is a danger in this type of attitude:

 

“Why do ye also transgress the doctrine of God by your tradition...Ye hypocrites well did Isaiah prophesy of you saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” - Mt. 15:3,7-9

 

 

 

2. Sacramental Salvationism: Many are convinced that saving grace is imparted in these ordinances. Hence, the earlier you partake the earlier you are saved - this error invented  infant baptism.

 

“The like FIGURE whereunto even  Baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” - I Pet. 3:21

 

There is danger in this type of teaching, Those who teach this are preaching another way of salvation:

 

“But though we or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” - Gal. 1:8

 

 

 

I. THREE REASONS YOU SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

 

1. TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE SET BY CHRIST.

 

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.” - Mk. 1:9

 

 

2. BECAUSE GOD’S WORD COMMANDS

 

“....men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized every one of you....” - Acts 2:37-38

 

 “And Jesus said...Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded....” - Mt. 28:18,19

 

“As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” - Gal. 3:27

 

“....as many as received the word were baptized” - Acts 2:41

 

3. BECAUSE GOD ONLY ADDS BAPTIZED BELIEVERS TO

   HIS CHURCHES

 

“as many as received his word were baptized....were added unto them......The Lord added to the church.....” - Acts 2:41, 47

 

(NOTE: The Lord “added to the church” in the way described - through the instrumentality of human administrators. Paul had to instruct the Corinthians that various human administrators were all working under God the Holy Spirit and therefore are ONE with Him in the work of building churches. He is the one responsible for bringing them all together in one church body -

 

“...everyone of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas....I thank God I baptized none of you but......Who then is Paul and who is Apollos, but ministers....I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth but God...Now he that planteth and he that watereth ARE ONE...for we are laborers TOGETHER WITH GOD...ye are God’s building... Know ye not that YE (plural) are the temple (singular) of God, and that  the Holy Spirit dwelleth in you.” - I Cor. 1:12,14; 3:5,6,7,8,9,16

 

“For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have made us to drink into one Spirit....Ye are the body of Christ and members in particular.” - I Cor. 12:13,27

 

“Ye also, as lively stones are built up a SPIRITUAL house, a holy preisthood, to offer up SPIRITUAL sacrifices, acceptable unto God by Jesus Christ.” - I Pet. 2:5

 

 

 

 

II. SIX REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?

 

1. BECAUSE  JESUS WAS BAPTIZED THAT WAY.

 

“....Jesus....was baptized of John IN Jordan” - Mk. 1:9

 

2. BECAUSE EVERY BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE WAS BY

    IMMERSION.

 

(example) “...and they went both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water....” - Acts 8:38-39

 

3. BECAUSE THE GREEK WORD TRANSLATED

    “BAPTIZE” DEMANDS IMMERSION IN WATER.

 

All major Greek dictionaries admit this and all major founders of denominations admit this:

 

Martin Luther - “Baptism is an external sign. The sign consists in this, that one plunges a man into water....but ones does not leave him therein, but lifts him out again...Thus must both parts be in the sign; the immersing and the raising out.”

 

John Calvin - “The word ‘baptize’ signifies to immerse. It is certain that immersion was the practice of the ancient church.

 

John Wesley - “Buried with Him, alludes to baptizing by immersion to the custom of the first church.”

 

Menno Simons - “After we have searched ever so diligently, we shall find no other baptism besides dipping that is acceptable to God and maintained in His word” and “Therefore beware, for the symbolism of baptism is to BURY...and to RISE with Christ”

 

 

 

 

4. BECAUSE ONLY IMMERSION REPRESENTS WHAT

    GOD INTENDED BAPTISM TO SYMBOLIZE and the only

    value of a symbol is how well it corretly represents the

    truth it is designed to show.

 

“Therefore we are BURIED with him by baptism....that LIKE Christ was RAISED up....” - Rom. 6:4

 

“BURIED with him in baptism wherein also ye are RISEN with him...” - Col. 2:12

 

 “...I declare unto you the gospel...how Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures and that he was BURIED and ROSE AGAIN the third day according to the scriptures....” -I Cor 15:1,3-4

 

5. BECAUSE POURING AND SPRINKINLG ARE NOT

    OPTIONS BUT ARE DISOBEDIENCE BECAUSE THE

    GREEK HAS WORDS FOR “pour” and “sprinkle” but

     they are never used of this ordinance.

 

6. BECAUSE THERE IS DANGER IN DISTORTING GOD’S

    TYPES. The gospel is perverted (Gal. 1:6-9).  Moses could not enter the promise land for distorting a gospel symbol (I Cor. 10:4; Ex. 17:4-6; Numb. 20:10-12). Corthinians got SICK and some even DIED (I Cor. 11:)

 

 

 

III. WHO CAN ADMINISTER BAPTISM?

 

     Would it do an alien any good to go to a U.S. Citizen in order to become a VALID U.S. citizen? Would it do any good for a person to go to a licensed driver to get a VALID driver’s license? No!  The proper authority must be sought out. Who or what is the proper authority to administer baptism? The Lord qualified and appointed the proper authority in the Great Commission.

 

“Go and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; 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.” - Mt. 28:19-20

 

A. Who are NOT authorized to administer Baptism:

 

     1. ANYONE or any church  who preaches ANOTHER gospel:

 

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel than that which we have preached... let him be accursed.” - Gal. 1:8

 

     2. ANYONE or any church  that administers ANOTHER baptism

         than “what I have commanded”

 

“Go...baptizing them.....and lo, I with you alway, even unto the end of the world. amen” - Mt. 28:19,20

 

“...there is ONE baptism....” - Eph. 4:4

 

     3. ANYONE  or any church that teaches ANOTHER faith and

          order than what “I have commanded”

 

“Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” - Acts 20:30

 

“...mark them which cause divisions....contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and AVOID them.” - Rom. 16:17

 

 

B. Who is given authority to baptize?

 

     1. The Great Commission characteristics demand that

        Jesus is talking to the Church He had built.

 

         a. “Teaching them to observe” demands the existence of

              a church as obedience to this is impossible without such

         b. The practice of church discipline  - Mt. 18:15-17

        c. Observance of the Lord’s Supper- Mt. 26:25-30; I Cr. 11:18

        d. Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves - Heb. 10:25

        e. Sharing the joys and sorrows of church members?  I

                  Cor. 12:25-27

 

   2. “Whatsoever I have commanded” infers that Jesus

        observed these things in a church context.

 

“Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us. Beginning from the baptism of John unto that same day he was taken up....” - Acts 1:21-22

 

3. The Church that Jesus Built is being authorized

      through its first ordained ministry

 

      a. The Apostles were the first officers of the church

 

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, unto a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.” - Mt. 28:16

 

“And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.” - Lk. 6:12

 

“And God hath set some in the church first, apostles..” - I Cor. 12:29

 

       b. The Lord characteristically speaks to the Church

           through its ordained officers

 

“Unto the angel  of the church at Ephesus write......he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches” - Rev. 2:1,7

 

    4. The Church is designated as the final authority on

         earth for spiritual matters:

 

“And if he neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church...and if he hear not the church..... whatsoever ye  shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” - Mt. 18:17-18

 

5. The Church is the designated way through which Christ

     is to be glorified on earth

 

“To Him be glory IN THE CHURCH by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” - Eph. 3:21

 

C. Baptism is the uniform of Christ and His Churches

 

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” - Gal. 3:27

 

“Then they that gladly (1)  received his word were (2) baptized: and...were (3)  added unto them....And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers....and the Lord added to the church....” - Acts 2:41,42

 

“baptizing them....teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you...” - Mt. 28:19,20

 

THEOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION: In baptism you identify with the theological position of the administrator. For example, if you submit to a Catholic Priest for baptism then it is assumed by all who watch that you are becoming a Catholic. If by a Methodist, then you are becoming a Methodist, etc. In the Great Commission the proper administrator of baptism is one who goes with the right gospel and then is able to “teach them all things whatsoever I have commanded.”  The proper administrator is of like faith and order with Jesus Christ and the first church at Jerusalem.

 

Closing Illustration:  When Michael Jordon quit the Chicago White Sox and rejoined the Chicago Bulls he had to put on the Bull’s uniform. Why? Because the White Sox baseball uniform did not properly represent the Bull’s basketball team. His uniform must properly represent his team. The proper uniform that represents Christ and His churches must have four non-negotiable characteristics or its the wrong uniform.

 

1. It is the uniform worn by BELIEVERS ONLY

 

2. It is the uniform that SYMBOLIZES  the Gospel only

 

3. It is the uniform that IDENTIFIES you with the Gospel

    through IMMERSION ONLY

 

4. It is the uniform that only a church of like faith and order

   with Christ is AUTHORIZED to issue

 

 

IV. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

 

1. EVERY PERSON WHO HAS BELIEVED IN CHRIST.

 

“....they that gladly received his word were baptized...” - Acts 2:41

 

“Then Simon himself believed...and...was baptized” - Acts 8:13

 

“...See here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest...” - Acts 8:36,37

 

 

2. INFANTS and UNBELIEVERS should not be baptized

 

    a. There is no New Testament Example of any infant being

         baptized

    b. All “household” baptisms are said to consist of those who

        “believed”

    c. Old Testament circumcision of infants at 8 days of age are

        ceremonial pictures of those “born again” spiritual babes

        under the New Covenant.

    d. There is an age of accountability - Rom. 7:9

    e. Dying infants are covered by the representation of the second

        Adam - Rom. 5:13-14

        - Just as they suffered death due to representation by first

          Adam, they are given life due to reprentation of second

           Adam.

    F. Old Testament types of infants being saved from hell are

        found in the sparing of Korah’s children and the salvation of

        David’s iligitamate child

 

 

V. WHEN SHOULD YOU BE BAPTIZED?

 

AS SOON AS YOU ARE SAVED

 

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized...the same day....” - Acts 2:41

 

“What doth hinder me to be baptized?....If thou believest..... thou mayest...” - Acts 8:36,37

 

    There is no reason to delay. As soon as possible after your salvation you should be baptized. No true believer in the New Testament delayed their baptism.

 

 

 

 

 

THE LORD’S SUPPER

 

Jesus never asked His disciples to remember His birth. But He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the church two visible gospel symbols (called “ordinances”) as reminders of His death. These two ordinances are: Baptism and The Lord’s Supper.

 

 

 

I. WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER

(I Cor. 11:23-26)

 

 

1. IT WAS INSTITUTED DURING THE PASSOVER MEAL.

 

“Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover....My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.” - Mt. 26:17,18

 

2. IT WAS INSTITUTED AT THE “CUP OF BLESSING” WHEN THE BENEDICTION WAS SAID AT END OF THE MEAL AT THE THIRD CUP.

 

“After they have mixed for him the third cup, he says the Benediction over his meal.” - The Mishnah, p. 151

 

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ....” - I Cor. 10:16

 

 

3. IT IS A SIMPLE SUPPER

 

“The Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread” (v. 23)

 

 

 

4. IT IS A MEMORIAL SUPPER

 

“this do in remembrance of me” (v. 24)

 

 

5. IT IS A SYMBOLIC SUPPER

 

“ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (v. 26)

 

 

 

 

 

II. WHO SHOULD TAKE THE LORD’S

SUPPER (I Cor. 11:19-31)

 

1. IT IS FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN UNITY WITH

    EACH OTHER

 

“I hear that there be divisions among you....this is not the Lord’s Supper” - vv. 18-20)

 

“Now this I say, that everyone of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” - I Cor. 1:12

 

 

“...mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which have learned and avoid them.” - Rom. 16:17

 

2. IT IS FOR THOSE WHO CAN BE DISCIPLINED BY THE CHURCH OBSERVING IT - I Cor. 5

 

“when ye are gathered together (v.4)....to deliver such a one(v.5).....purge out...the old leaven (v. 7)...with such a one no not to eat (v. 11).....Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person (v. 13).”

 

“And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.” - Mt. 18:17

 

 

 

 

3. IT IS OBSERVED BY THOSE WHO INTERPRET THE BREAD OF THE SUPPER TO ALSO REPRESENT THE METAPHORICAL  BODY OF CHRIST - THE KIND THAT CAN BE ASSEMBLED IN ONE PLACE WITH ALL ITS MEMBERS AND CAN BE PURGED BY CHURCH DISCIPLINE:

 

“...Know ye not that a little leaven leaventh the whole lump. Purge out the old leaven that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.....Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” - I Cor. 5:6-7,13

 

“.......ye come together  in the church (v. 18) ....When ye come together into one place (v. 20)....when ye come together (v. 33)...ye cometh together (v. 34).....”

 

“Ye are the body of Christ and members in particular” - I Cor. 12:27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

III. WHAT IS THE PRACTICAL PURPOSE OF THE SUPPER?

 

 

 

1. It Maintains the PURITY of the Church - I Cor. 5

 

“.....when you are gathered together......Purge out therefore the old leaven...For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us....with such a one, no, not to eat...Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” - I Cor. 5:7,11,13

 

“But let a man examine himself...For he that eatheth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself....For if we would judge ourselves....when ye come together to eat...” - I Cor. 11:20,28,29,31

 

 

2. The Supper acts as a filter by which the Lord continues to wash and cleanse the church through the word and thus maintains the metaphorical BRIDAL relationship between a particular Church and Christ and between the members in particular and Christ.

 

“Therefore as the church is subject to Christ...That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of the water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church....” - Eph. 5:24,26,27

 

“For I am jealous over you with goldy jealously: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” - 2 Cor. 11:2

 

 

 

“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” - Rev. 3:4

 

“....THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS.....Come out of her my people and be not partakers of her sins.....” - Rev. 17:5 and 18:4

 

“...for the marriage of the Lamb is come and his wife hath made herself ready...” - Rev. 19:7

 

IV. HOW DO I PREPARE MYSELF TO OBSERVE THE SUPPER?

 

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” (I Cor. 11:27-28)

 

by

 

  1. Self Examination                               2. Confessing sins

        -  I Cor. 11:27                                             - I Jn. 1:9

 

  3. Recommitment                                  4. Restoring relations

        -  Rom. 12:1                                              - Mt. 5:23-24

 

 

 

 

V. WHEN AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE OBSERVE THE LORD’S SUPPER?

 

“as often as ye eat.....” - I Cor. 11:26

 

    Jesus never said when or how often church members should observe the Lord’s Supper. He instituted it in the evening. Since it is designated a “supper” it would seem more appropriate to observe it in the evening.

    Because it causes the church to examine its membership for both Public and Private sin, it would seem that it should be observed on a regular basis in order to maintain a pure church and pure lives for the Lord. 

    Because it is defiled by the presence of sin, it should not be observed when there is public sin or sinners among the membership.

 

 

VI. WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS USED IN THE

 LORD’S SUPPER?

 

1. The elements used in the Supper were taken directly

    from the PASSOVER  PREPARATION  MATERIALS.

 

    “Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus,saying unto him,Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover....My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with my disciples.” - Mt. 26:17,18

 

 

2. Both Elements used in the Supper from the Passover

    were to be SYMBOLS of His body and blood.

 

“Take eat; this is my body......this is my blood....” - Mt. 26:26,28

 

 

 

3. UNLEAVENED  bread was  used in the Passover.

 

“Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.”  - I Cor. 5:7

 

4. Leaven is a symbol of SIN but Christ’s body was offered   up as a sinless substitute.

 

“Purge out therefore the old leaven....the leaven of malice, and wickedness” - I Cor. 5:7,8

 

 

5. Fermented Red WINE mixed with three parts water was

     used in the Passover.

 

“Red wine alone was to be used at the Paschal Supper, and always mixed with water....Of this there cannot be the slightest doubt.” - Alfred Edersheim, The Temple, p. 237

 

- Jewish Enclyclopedia (under the topic “passover”) - The rabbi’s also regarded it as a postive duty on the first night to relate the miracles incidental to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt: hence the HAGGADAH and the SEDER. Each Israelite was obliged to drink on this night four cups of wine (“arba’ah kosot”); red wine was excluded later owing to the BLOOD ACCUSATION. While eating the massah and drinking the wine, the position of free men (i.e,, reclining on the left side against cushions) was obligatory on all male participants (“hasibah”).  The Jewish Enclyopedia (New York, N.Y.: Funk and Waganils Co., 1916) Vol. XII, p. 552

 

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ....” - I Cor. 10:16

 

“this fruit of the vine....” - Mt. 26:29

 

The Mishnah (the ordal traditions of the elders referred to by Christ in the gospels) makes it very clear that red fermented wine was the traditional drink used in the Passover in the time of Christ (Mishnah, pesahim, 10:1-9, pp. 150-151)

 

 

 

6. The Element in the Cup symbolizes the power of the

    blood of Christ to CLEANSE  us from sin.

 

“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for the remission of sins.” - Mt. 26:28

 

“Ah sinful nation....From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it, but wounds, and bruises, and purtrifying sores....” - Isa. 1:4,6

 

“But a certain Samaritan....went to him , and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine...”

 

 

7. Wine is used in the Bible as a SYMBOL of salvation

 

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, come ye, buy, and eat, yea, come, buy wine....” - Isa. 55:1

 

 

8.  Wine was used among the churches and only its abuse

     was condemned.

 

“For in eating...one is hungry, and another is drunken.” - I Cor.

   11:21

 

“If it good neither to eat flesh, nor drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” - Rom. 14:21

 

“Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” - Itim. 5:23

 

“Be not drunken with wine wherein is excess....” Eph. 5:18

 

“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish; and wine unto those that be heavy of hearts. Let him drink and forget his poverty and remember his misery no more.” - Prov. 31:6-7

 

 

VII. THE DANGER OF ABUSING THE SUPPER

 

1. There is an express WARNING

 

“But let a man a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eatheth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s Body.” - I Cor. 11:28-29

 

2. There are express CONSEQUENCES  stated

 

“For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep [dead]”. - I Cor. 11:31

 

3. There are express  SCRIPTURES given that define

     unworthiness to partake of the Supper

 

“FIRST of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you” - I Cor. 11:18

 

“For there must be also HERESIES among you...” - I Cor. 11:19

 

“..one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not?” - I Cor. 11:21,22

 

“Purge out therefore the old leaven....Therefore let  us keep the feat, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven  of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerety and truth.” - I Cor. 5:7,8

 

Where MORAL or DOCTRINAL divisions exist or where HERESIES are being taught or where SCHISM rules, or where sin is publicly known, any of these things show that the member or church fail to discern the symbolism of the Lord’s body and disqualify a member or church from partaking of the Supper.