IPHC Church Manual - Extension Loan Fund

Constitution
Article VI. Ordinances
Article VI.
Ordinances
Although there are many meaningful religious services and
ceremonies, there are only two practices that clearly rise to the
level of ordinances. The true test of the scriptural validity of a
Christian ordinance rests in the affirmative answer to three
questions. First, was it commanded by our Lord Jesus as
recorded in the four Gospels? Second, was it practiced in the
early church as described in the Acts of the Apostles? Third, is its
spiritual significance clearly expounded in the Epistles? Water
Baptism and Holy Communion clearly meet this threefold
requirement.
By submitting to the ordinance of Water Baptism and by regular
observance of the Lord’s Supper, the Christian proclaims to the
world that he has renounced his former life of living for sin and self
and now belongs, body, soul, and spirit, to Christ as the Lord of
his life.
A. Water Baptism
Water Baptism is intended only for those who have professed
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a God-given illustration of
each Christian’s identification with Christ in His death, burial,
and resurrection. Obedience to this ordinance demonstrates
the believer’s public confession of this fact to others.
1. All who unite with any local church on profession of faith in
Christ should further confess Christ by receiving water
baptism, preferably by immersion, as early as possible.
2. Baptism shall be administered according to the divine
command of our blessed Lord, “In the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Spirit).”
B. Holy Communion
Holy Communion commemorates our redemption by Christ’s
death. It points to Calvary and to the return of Jesus, whose
blood cleanses us from all sin and prepares us for His blessed
return (Matthew 26:17-30; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30).
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