Church Ordinances

We recognize only two ordinances given to the local church. Neither ordinance contributes to salvation.

Water Baptism

We believe water baptism is for believers only and is administered after salvation by complete immersion. It pictures Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and publicly identifies the believer with the Lord Jesus Christ.

We do not practice or recognize infant baptism, infant sprinkling, or christening as New Testament baptism. In the New Testament pattern, those who were baptized first heard and received the word, believed the Gospel, and then were baptized. Water baptism is therefore for those capable of personally believing on and confessing the Lord Jesus Christ.

Water baptism does not regenerate, wash away original sin, confer salvation, or place anyone into the spiritual Body of Christ. The new birth is the work of the Holy Ghost, not the result of water baptism.

The Lord’s Supper

We believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial ordinance for believers. The bread and cup remain symbolic and do not become the literal flesh and blood of Christ.

The Lord’s Supper remembers Christ’s death, calls believers to self-examination, and points forward to His coming. It does not confer saving grace.

Scriptures: Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 2:41; 8:12, 35-39; 10:43-48; 16:30-34; 18:8; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26