First Baptist

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On Baptism

 

"Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."” (Matthew 28:16-20)

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There are several things to note concerning the legitimate exercise of the ordinance of baptist:

 

First, it is evident from Scripture that the Lord's commission is to be fulfilled, not outside or apart from, but rather through participation within the Body of Christ, represented by participation in a local congregation. As Paul said, we are all like different parts of a body, and it is when we are "joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped" that we experience increase in the church (Ephesians 4:16). It is God's intention that, with Christ as the Head, each member of His Body will play an important role in the health of any local church. For the church to be healthy all of its members must be present and accounted for. 

 

Second, baptism does not save. As such, we do not subscribe to either the doctrine of baptismal regeneration or paedobaptism, but believe that Scripture teaches that baptism is a mark placed upon a professing believer that the Body of Christ considers to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Such a one through baptism has expressed obedience to Christ and placed themselves under His authority as it is realized through the local congregation, especially its shepherds. The role of the church is to teach those baptized to obey all that Christ has commanded. When the new believer and the church embark upon this journey then the presence and authority of Christ is felt in a way that is unique from other times.

 

Third, public profession of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior who has atoned for personal sin by being crucified and conquered death by rising from the grave is required to be considered as a candidate for baptism. "...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom 10:9-13)  

 

And lastly, all baptisms are considered a joyous event and an act of worship and therefore, unless Providence directs elsewhere, will be carried out in Sunday morning services so that all members presenting and observing may encourage and witness to the event. All individuals who are baptized by First Baptist Church of Sandy Hook, KY are considered members of the congregation with all privileges and responsibilities therein under our 

Constitution and By-Laws, By-Law 1, "Church Membership".

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Any individual may express an interest in baptism at any time to the pastor. After the pastor has heard the individual's testimony of conversion and evaluated their understanding of the gospel, he may present them to the church on a Sunday morning as a candidate for baptism depending on the age and readiness of the candidate. If the candidate desires to give a public testimony of conversion at the time when they are presented, it may be given, but it is not required. Upon approval by the those present and voting at the Sunday morning service the one professing faith in Christ will cooperate with the pastor to set a date for baptism.

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What follows is based upon a historic confession of faith for Baptists commonly called the Philadelphia Confession of 1742. It has been rewritten in modern English. As it was originally written it is identical to the 1689 Confession. I have included it here as I find it contains more depth than the BF&M 2000. 

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1. Baptism is an ordinance of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ. To those baptized it is a sign of their fellowship with him in his death and resurrection, of their being grafted into him, of remission of sins, and of submitting themselves to God through Jesus Christ to live and walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3–5; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:27. Mark 1:4; Acts 22:16. Romans 6:4. 

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2. Those who personally profess repentance toward God and faith in and obedience to our Lord Jesus Christ are the only proper subjects of this ordinance. Mark 16:16; Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8. 

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3. The outward element to be used in this ordinance is water, in which the individual is to be baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19, 20; Acts 8:38. 

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4. Immersion, or dipping of the person in water, is necessary for this ordinance to be administered properly. Matthew 3:16; John 3:23.

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On The Lord's Supper

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Historically there are three kinds of participation in the Lord's Supper  - Closed, Close, and Open. "Closed" means available to participating members of that immediate congregation who not under church discipline. "Close" means available to any believer baptized by immersion, who is a member of a church of like faith and order, and in good standing with that congregation. "Open" means open to any and all professing believers who are in good standing with their respective home congregations.

 

Our church practices a Close Communion in the Lord's Supper that is generally held once a quarter in an evening service and on Good Friday. 

 

What follows is based upon a historic confession of faith for Baptists commonly called the Philadelphia Confession of 1742. It has been rewritten in modern English. As it was originally written it is identical to the 1689 Confession. I have included it here as I find it contains more depth than the BF&M 2000. 

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1. The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night he was betrayed. It is to be observed in his churches to the end of the age as a perpetual remembrance and display of the sacrifice of himself in his death. It is given for the confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits of Christ’s death, their spiritual nourishment and growth in him, and their further engagement in and to all the duties they owe him. The supper is to be a bond and pledge of their communion with Christ and each other. 1 Corinthians 11:23–26. 21 Corinthians 10:16, 17, 21.

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 2. In this ordinance Christ is not offered up to his Father, nor is any real sacrifice made at all for remission of sin of the living or the dead. It is only a memorial of the one offering Christ made of himself on the cross once for all. It is also a spiritual offering of the highest possible praise to God for that sacrifice . In contradiction to some idolatrous practices that repeatedly re-sacrifice Christ, it is a display of the only one propitiation for all the sins of God's chosen people. Hebrews 9:25, 26, 28. 41 Corinthians 11:24; Matthew 26:26, 27.

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 3. In this ordinance the Lord Jesus has appointed his ministers to pray and to bless the elements of bread and wine and in this way to set them apart from a common to a holy use. They are to take and break the bread, take the cup, and give both to the communicants while also participating themselves. 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, etc.

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 4. Denying the cup to the people for reasons outside of church discipline, worshiping the elements, lifting them up or carrying them around for adoration, or reserving them for some pretended religious use are all contrary to the nature of this ordinance and to the institution of Christ. Matthew 26:26–28; 15:9; Exodus 20:4, 5.

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 5. The outward elements in this ordinance, properly set apart for the use ordained by Christ, have such a relationship to Christ crucified that they are sometimes called—truly though figuratively—by the names of the things they represent, that is, the body and blood of Christ.  However, in substance and nature they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before. 1 Corinthians 11:27. 1 Corinthians 11:26–28.

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 6. Any doctrine that teaches that the substance of bread and wine is changed into the physical, literal substance of Christ’s body and blood by the consecration of a priest or some other way not only violates the integrity of Scripture but also common sense and reason. Acts 3:21; Luke 24:6, 39. 1 Corinthians 11:24, 25.

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 7. Worthy recipients who outwardly partake of the visible elements in this ordinance also by faith inwardly receive and feed on Christ crucified and all the benefits of his death. They do so really and truly, yet not physically and bodily but spiritually. The body and blood of Christ are not present bodily or physically in the ordinance but spiritually to the faith of believers, just as the elements themselves are present to their outward senses. 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23–26.

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 8. All willfully ignorant and ungodly people are unfit to enjoy communion with Christ and are thus unworthy of the Lord’s table. As long as they remain in this condition, they cannot partake of these holy mysteries or be admitted to the Lord’s table without committing a great sin against Christ. All those who receive the supper unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, eating and drinking judgment on themselves. 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15. 1 Corinthians 11:29; Matthew 7:6.

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Charlie