ARE WATER BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER ORDINANCES?
Question:
“What was the Corinthian church like?”
Answer:
“They were full of flesh. Paul doesn’t use the word ‘ordinances’ for
any other
church. ‘Ordinances’ are the procedures and instructions necessary to
keep
right order and holy behaviour in any institution, not just the church.
For
example, you have the city ordinances and the army’s ordinances and so
on”
Question:
“Why would Paul think that having more Lord’s suppers and more water
baptisms
would bring order into a chaotic and fleshy church?”
Answer:
“He wouldn’t”
Question:
“What was needed then?”
Answer:
“Some very firm instructions for holy behaviour. The Corinthian church
needed many
of them as they were a church full of the flesh. They didn’t need more
ceremonial and religious performances to rein in their wicked.
Question:
“Does Paul include the Lord’s supper for an ordinance?”
Answer:
“If he did, he would be a hypocrite. If Paul didn’t water baptize,
and
we are to be followers of Paul, why would he then make it an ordinance
for the
church to do what he didn’t do? He wouldn’t. He says For
Christ sent me not to baptize, but to
preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ
should be
made of none effect. 1 Corinthians 1:17
Question:
“What were these past instructions for the church?”
Answer:
“They had already been given in I Corinthians chapters 1-10. Paul says “… keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” (1Corinthians
11:2)
They
included:
1Co 1:10 no
divisions 1Co 1:31 glory in the Lord 1Co 2:13
compare spiritual with spiritual 1Co 3:8 reward for own
labour 1Co 3:13-15 take heed how you build 1Co 3:16-17
be holy 1Co 3:20-21 no vain glory 1Co 4:1-2
be a faithful steward 1Co 4:6 don’t be puffed up 1Co 4:16 be followers of Paul 1Co 5:1 no
fornication 1Co 5:11 no company and eating with
fornicators, covetous, idolaters,
railers, drunkards or extortioners 1Co 5:12 judge those within 1Co 6:1-8 don’t be
judged in the world’s
courts 1Co 6:9-10 no inheritance 1Co 6:18
flee fornication 1Co 7:1-40 marriage advice 1Co 8:13
don’t defile the conscience of the
weak 1Co 9:7 soldiers worthy to be paid 1Co 9:19
be servant to all; 1Co 9:24 run for the prize 1Co 9:27
keep the body under 1Co10:6-9,10-13,14 cease lusting, idolatry,
fornication, tempting Christ and murmuring 1Co 10:23
all things edify not 1Co 10:32 give none
offence.”
Answer:
No. “…
the cup, as
oft as ye drink it …”
(1Corinthians 11:25). This not an
ordinance but a remembrance as often as you drink
it. It’s not a mandatory thing or a must do. They might never have the
Lord’s
supper. No, the Corinthians needed some very heavy straight talk about
their
sinful behaviours.
Answer:
“I’m sure they were probably getting
immersed at every opportunity. The Corinthian church would have been
already
under massive deception as to what water baptism would do for their
holiness. A
typical conversation from one Corinthian church member to another might
have been
“Hey man! Have you been water baptised yet? It’s great – just go under
man and
it’ll wash away all your sins.”
Conclusion:
Water
baptism and the Lord’s supper are not
ordinances for the church today … and neither were they then.
The Lord’s Supper is a Remembrance but not an ordinance.
Harley Hitchcock
*
***************
What are the kingdoms
of heaven and God?
****************
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