Sacraments

 

Two sacraments have been committed to the local church: baptism and the Lord's Supper (Acts 2:38-42). Christian baptism by immersion (Acts 8:36-39) is the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, and his union with Him in death to sin and resurrection to a new life (Romans 6:1-11). It is also a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible Body of Christ (Acts 2:41-42).

The Lord's Supper is the remembrance and proclamation of His death until He comes, and should be always preceded by solemn self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32). The elements of Communion are only representative of the flesh and blood of Christ, the Lord's Supper is nevertheless an actual communion with the risen Christ who indwells every believer, and so is present spiritually, fellowshipping with His people (1 Corinthians 10:16).