The Ordinances

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are two beautiful gifts Jesus gave His church. Baptists often call them ordinances because Jesus commanded His followers to observe them. They are not empty rituals, and they are not ways we earn salvation. Instead, they are visible acts of obedience that help us remember, proclaim, and respond to the grace of God.

Why We Observe the Ordinances

Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15, NLT). Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are ways we say with our lives, “Lord, we belong to You.”

Through these ordinances, we remember the gospel, confess our faith, encourage one another, and publicly express our love for God.

³⁵ So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. ³⁶ As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” ³⁸ He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. ³⁹ When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. –Acts 8:35-39

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Baptism is the first public step of obedience for a believer in Jesus Christ. Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples and baptize them “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NLT).

In the Bible we find baptism is for those who have personally trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord. It is a believer’s testimony, telling the world that they have turned from sin, received Christ, and now desire to follow HimBaptism does not save us. We are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. But baptism is a powerful outward sign of an inward change. Going down into the water pictures death to the old life. Being raised from the water pictures new life in Christ.

As Romans 6:4 says, “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead… now we also may live new lives.”

When we are baptized, we are saying:

I trust Jesus.
I belong to Jesus.
I have been raised to walk in new life.
I want to follow Him with His people.

If you have trusted Jesus as Savior but have not yet been baptized, let me encourage you to talk to one of our pastors. We will be happy to schedule a time to help you observe this important ordinance.

What About Children?

Note: we do not baptize children or others who have not trusted Jesus as Savior, or are too young to understand why they would like to be baptized. Instead, we would be happy to conduct a service of dedication for you and your child. A service of dedication welcomes children into the community, and promises to raise them up in the faith until such time as they make a personal decision to trust Jesus Christ as Savior.

The Lord’s Supper

On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread ²⁴ and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” ²⁶ For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again. –1 Corinthians 11:23-26 

Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19, NLT)

The Lord’s Supper is a sacred meal of remembrance, worship, and commitment. On the night before He died, Jesus took bread and the cup and gave them to His disciples. He said the bread represented His body, given for us, and the cup represented the new covenant in His blood.

Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19, NLT).

The Bible teaches that the Lord’s Supper as a symbolic memorial meal. The bread and cup do not become the literal body and blood of Christ. Rather, they point us back to the cross, where Jesus gave Himself for our sins.When we receive the Lord’s Supper, we remember:

His body was given for us.
His blood was shed for us.
His death paid the price for our sin.
His resurrection gives us hope.
His return is coming.

The Lord’s Supper is also a time of self-examination. Scripture teaches us to come with reverence, humility, repentance, and faith. We do not come because we are perfect. We come because Jesus is our Savior.

Ordinances as Love for God

The ordinances are not just church customs. They are acts of love.

In baptism, we love God by publicly identifying with His Son.
In the Lord’s Supper, we love God by remembering Christ’s sacrifice.
In both, we love God by obeying Jesus, honoring the gospel, and joining with His people in worship.

Baptism declares that we have begun the journey of following Jesus.
The Lord’s Supper reminds us to keep following Him.

Together, these ordinances help the church tell the story of the gospel again and again:

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

And until He comes, we will remember Him, obey Him, and love Him with all our heart.