From Matthew Road Statement of Faith…

We believe that Christ instituted two church ordinances. Baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience, in which a believer identifies with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, and is requisite for church membership. The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby believers, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of Christ and anticipate His second coming. Neither of these ordinances have any ability to save.

 

I.   Baptism and Lord’s Supper: Symbolic Displays of Profound Realities

1. Both given to the church by Christ
2. Both connect the believer to Christ
3. Both connect the believer to the church

 

II.  Baptism: To Immerse, Romans 6:3-4

1. Is a defining act of obedience of a believer in Christ
2. Symbolizes the immersion of the believer into the death and resurrection of Christ
3. Marks an individual’s entrance into the church

 

III. Lord’s Supper: To Partake, I Corinthians 11:23-26

1. Is a defining act of worship by a gathering of believers in Christ
2. Symbolizes the absolute necessity of the death of Christ on our behalf
3. Marks a church as a gathering of believers with a common faith in Christ