: : ORDINANCES : :

We believe that the ordinances of the church are two in number: baptism, by immersion, which is the public identification of the believer with Christ; and the Lord’s Supper, a memorial of the atoning death of Christ until He comes (Matt. 28:19; I Cor. 11:23-24). Baptism does not bring about salvation. Salvation comes only through a personal response to the Gospel. This response comes through a confession of faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. After salvation, and in obedience to Christ’s command and as a testimony to God, the church, oneself and the world, a believer should be immersed in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Water baptism is a visual and symbolic demonstration of a person’s union with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection. It signifies that his former way of life has been put to death and vividly depicts a person’s release from the mastery of sin. The Lord’s Supper (communion), symbolizes the breaking of Christ’s body and the shedding of His blood on our behalf, and is to be observed repeatedly throughout the Christian life as a sign of continued participation in the atoning benefits of Christ’s death. The Lord’s Supper should be taken with an attitude of faith and self- examination, as we remember and proclaim the death of Christ, receive spiritual nourishment for our souls, and signify our unity with other members of Christ’s body.