Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the only two ceremonies given by Jesus Christ through Scripture to be observed by the church for all ages. We call them “ordinances” as they have been ordained by Christ. We do not call them “sacraments” because they do not convey Christ’s salvation, which is conveyed directly by the Holy Spirit in response to the individual’s faith.
Baptism is the immersion of believers upon their repentance and profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism pictures the connecting of the believer with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
The Lord's Supper is a memorial of thanksgiving for the sacrifice of the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is to be regularly practised until He comes. It portrays our continued reliance on Christ’s work. It dramatises the basis, in Christ’s atonement, of our continued membership in the body of Christ as cleansed Christians. It keeps us aware of our fellowship with the saints of all ages and with the other members of the body of Christ and keeps us looking forward to our future glorification in Jesus Christ.
The universal church consists of all persons, in heaven now or still on earth, who confess Christ as their Lord and Saviour. The local gathering of believers is the local expression of the same universal church. This local gathering is charged to meet regularly for worship, fellowship, teaching of the Scriptures, and seeking to save the lost.
Christ alone is the head of His church, both universal and local. The church is known as the Body of Christ. No other person, group, or religious organization can profess to be the head of His church.
