Theology / Sacraments

  • The Lord’s Supper Instituted

    Luke 22:14–23

    Dr. R.C. Sproul says that the Lord’s Supper helps us realize just how important Jesus understands His death to be in the grand narrative of God’s redemption. He paraphrases Jesus’ words to His disciples: “My disciples, I ...Read More

  • The Significance of Passover

    Exodus 12

    Though God elected to save the Israelites, their sin did not make them any less worthy of death than the Egyptians. But the Lord provided a way for them to escape His wrath in those days. Ultimately, this looked forward ...Read More

  • The Marks of the Church

    1 Corinthians 11:17–34

    First Corinthians 11:17–34 gives us the marks of the church specifically and through good and necessary deduction. The whole passage concerns the Lord’s Supper, a reference to the sacraments. Paul also gives the words of institution, a ...Read More

  • Infant Baptism

    Acts 2:38-39

    Whether or not we baptize infants, 1 Corinthians 7:12–14 reveals that children of believers have a relationship to the Lord that the offspring of non-believers do not share. They are in the visible church where they enjoy hearing ...Read More

  • The Mode of Baptism

    2 Kings 5:1–14

    All of the above evidence indicates that in baptism, it is the cleansing aspect that is the emphasis and not the way in which water is applied. Whether dipped, immersed, sprinkled, or poured upon, we are to see a picture ...Read More

  • Holy Spirit Baptism

    Ephesians 1:13–14

    The New Testament speaks of baptism often because it recognizes the Lord’s presence in this sacrament in a way not found elsewhere. If we truly understand the importance of baptism, we will find our faith and confidence strengthened every ...Read More

  • The Meaning of Baptism

    1 Corinthians 12:13

    Whenever we read the Nicene Creed we confess belief in the communion of saints. This means that we become united to every believer who has ever lived whenever we trust in Jesus. The other Christians we know are not merely ...Read More

  • The Necessity of Baptism

    Matthew 28:18–20

    Many Protestants today dismiss the importance of the new covenant’s signs and seals. But baptism is not a negotiable matter, and all Christians, in obedience to Christ, must be baptized unless they are providentially hindered from this ordinance. If ...Read More

  • The Baptism of John

    Luke 3:1–22

    Jesus was baptized by John, not because He needed to repent, but in order to obey the new command God laid upon His people through the Baptist (Matt. 3:13–17). Unlike Jesus, we are not without sin, and so ...Read More

  • Over Against the Other

    Genesis 15:9–11

    The medieval abuses of the church, coupled with the modern tendency toward naturalism, have caused many evangelicals to be wary about the sacraments. Since, by the Spirit, we are lifted up into heaven during worship (Heb. 12:18–24), we ...Read More

  • The Importance of Communion

    1 Corinthians 11:27–34

    Few churches enjoy Holy Communion on a weekly basis. Some claim that to do so would demean its meaning by becoming common. Yet we gather every week to worship God. Others say it would be impractical. Discuss with your pastor ...Read More

  • Entrance by Cleansing

    Matthew 28:16-20

    Read Hebrews 9:13 and 10:22. Now find Numbers 19. Note the relationship between death and resurrection, unclean and clean, and old covenant baptism. What does this chapter teach you about your new covenant baptism? How many times do ...Read More

  • The Purpose of Sacraments

    Hebrews 6:13-20

    Baptism and the Lord’s Supper pull into themselves all the signs and miracles of the old covenant and the early church. Perhaps one reason why so many Christians look for miracles is that we do not appreciate the hidden ...Read More

  • The Importance of Sacraments

    Galatians 3:15-29

    Perhaps one of the reasons why we have not paid sufficient attention to the sacraments is that we associate them with the Roman church and arid ritualism. As we continue our study, keep always in mind that these sacraments were ...Read More

  • Snapshot of the Early Church

    Acts 2:42–3:26

    Here are four dimensions of the church. The early believers were excited about and practiced all four, and the leaders responded to their excitement. How does your church measure up in these four dimensions? What can you do, without being ...Read More