The Sacraments
1.
God Has Always Given His People Religious Ceremonies.
God has always
had a people. God has always commanded them to worship Him. God has always
given them distinct ways in which to worship Him. God has always provided them
with ceremonies which are fitting to their point in time. For instance, OT
worship was very elaborate in the Temple. It included incense, animal
sacrifices, priestly garments, etc. It was very detailed and prescribed. Yet
God's approved ceremonies have always been mainly symbolic in nature. These are
called sacraments because they are holy ceremonies. They are also called
ordinances, for they are ordained by God.
2.
The New Testament Ceremonies Replace the Old Testament Ceremonies.
Most of the OT ceremonies revolved around animal sacrifices in the Temple. These prefigured Christ. When the sun rose, the shadows fled away. We do not need sacrifices, altars and priests any longer. Circumcision was another OT sacrament that was a badge that one was a member of Israel. It has been replaced by baptism, with several modifications (for those in Spiritual Israel, women and not just men). Most, if not all, NT ceremonies symbolize the same things that had been prefigured in the OT ceremonies. Circumcision is now needless, except possibly for medical purposes. The NT ceremonies are far fewer and far more simple than in the OT, for NT worship is more spiritual.
3.
There Are Only Two Sacraments.
The Catholic Church says there are 7 (baptism, Mass, confirmation, penance, holy orders, marriage, last rites), but the NT knows only 2. There is no sacrament of confirmation, nor penance. Ministerial ordination is Biblical, but is not quite a sacrament. Laying on of hands and prayer for the sick are Biblical, as is anointing with oil; but again, these are not quite sacraments. Some churches feel that foot-washing is a sacrament, but it seems rather to be an optional practice like the agape (love feast). Other groups, such as the Salvation Army and some Ultra-Dispensational groups think that baptism and Communion are no longer valid. But Christ ordained them for the Church until He returns.
4.
The Sacraments Are Not Magic.
Sacraments are primarily symbolic in nature. They do not automatically confer grace or spiritual benefits "ex opere operato", like if we say the magic words or wave our hands in the right way. That is what is called magic and is pagan in nature. The Bible teaches that we are to practice the sacraments, but we need to beware of the over-emphasis on them found in some churches. We must resist the lure of sacralism, sacramentalism, sacerdotalism, liturgicalism, ritualism and other forms of magic and priestcraft. The true spiritual power is in the Word by the Spirit. Nevertheless, we should not go to the opposite extreme in devaluing them.
5.
Water Baptism in the First Sacrament.
The first sacrament for which a Christian is eligible is baptism in water. Ideally it should be done by total immersion. It need not be by "trine" immersion (dipping 3 times). The use of the name of the Trinity is important, but is not a magic formula. Baptism symbolizes cleansing from sin, union with Christ, identification with His death and resurrection, and the inner baptism with the Holy Spirit.
6.
Baptism is for Believers Only.
All the commands for baptism lay
down the condition of faith/repentance Infants and unbelievers do not meet this
condition any more than bells or horses, and so are not eligible. Nearly every
example in the NT shows that the one being baptized made a profession of faith.
The overwhelming pattern is clear: faith must precede baptism. There are no
commands nor examples of infants being baptized. Infant baptism usually is
associated with baptismal regeneration. Even in churches that deny baptismal
regeneration, they tend to presume that the baby is/has been/will be
regenerated somehow. This is leftover baggage from Roman Catholicism. Infant
baptism manufactures millions of false Christians, and sends them to Hell with
false assurance.
7.
Baptism Follows Salvation.
One who comes to faith in Christ and is saved is commanded to be baptized. Ideally this should be done soon thereafter. But it is important to realize that water baptism in no shape or form produces salvation. The thief on the cross died unbaptized. Simon Magus was baptized but was never saved. Baptismal regeneration is a dangerous heresy taught by Rome, Episcopalianism, Lutheranism, most Methodists, many Presbyterians, the Church of Christ, the Christian Church, the Disciples of Christ, many cults, Greek Orthodoxy and others. Some say it doesn't produce salvation, it only completes it. Others say it infuses saving grace which needs to be cultivated or else will be lost. Whatever form it takes, it is heresy of the first order. Salvation is totally by grace through faith by the Word and Spirit, not by water.
8.
The Lord's Supper is the Second Sacrament.
The second holy ordinance is variously called the Lord's Supper, the Lord's Table, Communion or the Eucharist. It is mainly symbolic in nature, typifying the death and resurrection of Christ. The bread and wine do not change, as supposed in the Catholic heresy of the Mass. Nor do they automatically infuse grace. Ideally, the NT order is: conversion, baptism, Communion. But one wonders if we should refuse Communion to a born-again believer who has not yet been baptized. Scripture allows for some things that are acceptable, though not ideal. The Supper basically replaces all the OT sacrifices, especially Passover.
9.
The Lord's Supper is for Believers Only.
There
are conditions for the proper taking of Communion which exclude infants and
unbelievers: self-examination, faith, repentance, remembering Christ,
discerning the Body. The idea of infant Communion is unbiblical, superstitious
and dangerous. Communion is for all believers, except those who have been
excommunicated from a local church. Unbelievers and backslidden believers
should be warned not to partake.
10.
The Lord's Supper is a Special Time of Communion with Christ.
The Supper is
symbolic, but not merely symbolic. It is a time to renew one's faith in the
Lord Jesus, draw near to Him in prayer, and commune with Him heart-to-heart in
deepest spiritual intimacy. I Cor. 10:16 is the classic verse here. The
spiritual experience is not magically produced by the elements or a priest, but
by the Holy Spirit through means of the Word of God. Appropriate Scripture
ought to be read at each Communion. I Cor. 10 and 11 also make Communion an
integral part of the weekly meeting of the Church. It ought to be practiced in
a holy and worthy manner, seriously and joyfully, looking back to the Cross and
forward to the Second Coming of our Lord.