GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH

THREE GOSPEL ORDINANCES

Baptism, Church Membership, and the Lord's Supper
Acts 2:41-47

The title of my message tonight is THREE GOSPEL ORDINANCES.

In Acts 2, Peter preached the gospel to a great multitude on the day of Pentecost. He simply told them the wondrous story of redemption and grace by Christ, and proclaimed the glorious exaltation of Christ as Lord and King of the universe. Peter preached with the power of God the Holy Spirit upon him. And three thousand people were converted by the grace of God, baptized, and united with the church in one day!

In our text we read of three things that characterized this early church, three things which were tokens of God's blessings upon his people at Jerusalem: Baptism, Church Membership, and the Lord's Supper.

Acts 2:41-47 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. (43) And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (44) And all that believed were together, and had all things common; (45) And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. (46) And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, (47) Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved."

I want to preach to you about these three very practical things: Baptism, Church Membership, and the Lord's Supper. I trust that God the Holy Spirit will make this message a source of profitable instruction and edification to you. We are going to examine what the Word of God has to say about our responsibilities as believers to these ordinances of the gospel. These are things which should be of great interest and concern to every believer. They are matters about which every local church needs to be informed and well established.

We recognize the fact that the church of God is made up of all true believers in every age. God's elect are his church. Some are in heaven, and some are on the earth. But we are all one body in Christ (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; 3:15-16; 5:25-27; Heb. 12:22-24).

We also recognize that the New Testament places great emphasis upon the importance of the local church (Matt. 18:20; 28:18-20; 1 Tim. 3:15).

1. The great commission was given to and is carried out by local churches.
2. Local churches support, maintain, and send out pastors, missionaries, and evangelists to preach the gospel.
3. Local churches administer the ordinances of Christ.
4. The local church is a family, a brotherhood, a body of believers, united together in Christ (1 Cor. 12:25-27).
5. And every local church should be a miniature of the church universal (Eph. 2:20-22; 4:1-7).

Proposition: Our relationship to the church of Christ is a matter of obedience to Christ himself.

I cannot overemphasize the importance of a believer's relationship and faithfulness to the local church.

• It is a great privilege and blessing to be a part of a true gospel church.


• With this great privilege, we assume a great responsibility.


• Our relationship with the church of Christ, in great measure, reveals our relationship to Christ.

Obviously, I cannot begin to explain all that the Bible teaches about Baptism, Church Membership, and the Lord's Supper in a single message. But that is not my intention. I want to simply give you a brief definition of these three things and encourage you to honor our Lord by faithful obedience to him in these three areas.

I. First, I want to show you that BAPTISM IS THE BELIEVER'S CONFESSION OF FAITH IN CHRIST (Rom. 6:1-11).

NOTE: Let me give you a basic principle of biblical interpretation. If you want to know what the Bible teaches about a specific doctrine, go to that place in the Bible where that doctrine is taught and explained. Romans 6 explains the meaning of believer's baptism.

Romans 6:1-11 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? (2) God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (7) For he that is dead is freed from sin. (8) Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: (9) Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (10) For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. (11) Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

1. Baptism is the believer's public confession of faith in Christ. Baptism is a symbolic picture of the gospel (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21).

Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

1 Peter 3:21 "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:"

Illustration: Jews and Pagans.

Acts 2:38-41 "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (40) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

Acts 8:37 "And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

Immersion only! Actually, immersion is not a mode of baptism. Immersion is baptism. Without immersion, there is no baptism (Matt. 3:13-17; Acts 8:38; Col. 2:12).

1. Our Lord commanded it (Mark 16:15-16).
2. It is the answer of a good conscience to God (1 Pet. 3:21).

1. All of God's people are saved without baptism.
2. But anyone who refuses to be baptized is not saved. God's people are not rebels. They obey God's commands; and to us his commands are not grievous.

No! If I have been baptized since I believed the gospel, there is no reason for me to ever be baptized again. However, if I was immersed before I believed the gospel, in some profession of false religion, then I need to be baptized and confess Christ.

Baptism in the New Testament is the believer's public confession of faith in and allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ.

II. Secondly, I want you to see that CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS THE BELIEVER'S FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IN HIS BODY.

Many think little of church membership. Many who profess to be believers are not identified with or committed to any local church. Whatever their reason is, they are wrong. In the New Testament, men and women who followed Christ, by one means or another, applied for and obtained membership in local churches. They publicly identified themselves with and committed themselves to the church of God.

• Paul (Acts 9:26).

Acts 9:26 "And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples."

• Phoebe (Rom. 16:1).

Romans 16:1 "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea."

Church membership is for believer's only. A local church is a body of believer's, voluntarily united together in the name of Christ for the glory of Christ, the furtherance of the gospel, the salvation of God's elect, and mutual edification.

In many ways church membership is similar to baptism. Though I was baptized before I moved to Danville, when I joined Grace Baptist Church, I publicly identified myself with this congregation and its doctrine. I publicly committed myself to this church. I said, "Thy people shall be my people and thy God shall be my God."

And the fellowship of believers in a local church is vital to their spiritual welfare. Your spiritual growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ is in many ways dependent upon your relationship to and fellowship with the body of Christ. Believers need the fellowship of other believers. We need the encouragement of our brethren. We need the strength of our brethren. We need one another. The first signs of apostasy are usually seen in the neglect of the assembly of God's saints (Heb. 10:24-29).

Illustration: The isolated piece of coal.

Illustration: The marriage ceremony.
Rich Byrd

The church of Christ is my family. And I am committed to my family. I prefer my family to myself. I seek the welfare of my family above my own welfare. I seek the happiness of my family above my own happiness. I seek the comfort of my family above my own comfort.

God's people are a family. And the members of God's family are committed to one another. But I see very little commitment in most men and women who profess to be believers. Commitment is dependability, faithfulness, and loyalty. It always requires a measure of self-denial and self-sacrifice. It always requires some effort. But most people know very little about commitment.

1. I pray for my family.
2. I support my family.
3. I serve my family.
4. I speak well of my family.
5. I promote my family.
6. I enjoy the company of my family.
7. My family can count on me. >

B. And church membership gives me the privilege of communion and fellowship with the body of Christ.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psa. 133:1).

I love the fellowship of God's people, because in the fellowship of God's people I find fellowship with Christ (Matt. 18:20). My Savior still walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks and makes himself known in his churches.

The Lord has greatly blessed this church with a blessed, sweet unity and fellowship in the gospel. I pray that he will ever cause us to zealously guard and promote that unity of the Spirit and bond of peace which he has given us in this place (Eph. 4:1-6).

Ephesians 4:1-6 "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; (5) One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

1. It is a unity of doctrine.
2. It is an agreement of heart.
3. It is a dedication to the pursuit of one thing – The glory of Christ.
4. It is a willing submission to one another for Christ's sake (Eph. 5:18-25).

Ephesians 5:18-25 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; (21) Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. (22) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. (24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. (25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."

Ephesians 4:32 - 5:1 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (1) "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;"

Church membership is more than having your name on the same church register. It is commitment to the body of Christ and communion with Christ in his body. And…

1 Corinthians 12:24-27 "For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: (25) That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. (26) And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. (27) Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."

• The Local Church.


• The Church Universal.
Illustration: The Mexican Churches
The African Churches

III. Thirdly, let me remind you of the fact that THE LORD'S SUPPER IS THE BELIEVER'S BLESSED REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST.

One of the most blessed privileges we have in this world is the privilege of coming together at the Lord's Table to celebrate our redemption by eating the bread and drinking the wine.

What is the meaning and significance of this ordinance? It is not shrouded in mystery. It is a very simple, but very precious, picture of our redemption by Christ. I want you all to understand what the Lord's Supper is, so that you may receive it, enjoy it, and profit by it to the fullest possible degree (1 Cor. 11:23-30).

1 Corinthians 11:23-30 "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: (24) And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (25) After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (26) For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. (27) 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. (28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30) For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep."

Illustration: The picture of Shelby.

I know that this is a matter of great controversy with some. But it should not be controversial at all, if you know the meaning of the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper can be observed only by eating unleavened bread and drinking wine. Why? I will give you three reasons:

1. When Melchizedek, who was a type of Christ, met Abraham, he brought forth bread and wine as the symbols of God's blessing through a sacrifice (Gen. 14:18-20).

a. The unleavened bread represents the spotless, sinless, holy body of our Lord Jesus Christ. The breaking of the bread represents the crushing of our Savior's body in death to accomplish our redemption.
b. The wine represents the pure, holy, sinless blood of Immanuel, by which our sins were washed away and the covenant of grace was ratified.
c. The two, bread and wine, body and blood, separated implies the certain death of our Redeemer.

It is the Lord's Table. And the Lord's Table is open to all the Lord's children (Acts 20:1-7). Not only is the Lord's Table open to all his children, but all his children are commanded by him to receive it. This is not an optional thing!

The Scriptures lay down no fixed time. Therefore, we must not insist upon any. But three things are obvious:

1. In the New Testament it was observed on the Lord's Day.
2. Because it is called the Lord's Supper, and because it was originally so, I think it should be observed in the evening.
3. It is to be observed often. Throughout the Book of Acts it was observed every week.

The same thing that makes us worthy of baptism and church membership makes us worthy to receive the Lord's Supper. And that is faith in Christ! Christ is our worthiness. Those who are united to Christ are worthy to receive the bread and wine, for they discern the Lord's body. They know their need of a Substitute and understand how that Christ accomplished redemption by the sacrifice of himself. Those who do not believe are not worthy, they do not discern the Lord's body.

1. They do not discern the need of the incarnation.
2. They do not discern the righteousness established by Christ's obedience.
3. And they do not discern the satisfaction of justice by the sacrifice of Christ's body upon the cursed tree.

1. The basis of our faith is the Word of God alone. We must add nothing to it and take nothing from it.

• We must obey every precept of the Word.


• We must follow every precedent of the Word.


• We must reverence every ordinance of Christ given in the Word.

• Baptism is the believer's confession of faith in Christ.


• Church membership is fellowship and communion with Christ in his body.


• The Lord's Supper is the believer's blessed remembrance of Christ.

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