Baptism & the Lord's Supper

The Ordinances Appointed by Christ

Confessional Text

Christ left his church only two ordinances - baptism¹²⁷ and the Lord's Supper¹²⁸.

Scriptural References

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Matthew 28:28-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.

Romans 6:4

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

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1 Corinthians 10:16-17

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.

All scripture quotations are from the ESV (English Standard Version).

Historical & Theological Background

Throughout church history, Protestant Christianity has affirmed two ordinances (or sacraments): baptism and the Lord's Supper. Rome added five more (confirmation, penance, marriage, ordination, extreme unction), but the Reformers returned to the biblical pattern of two. These ordinances are signs and seals of the gospel, visible representations of spiritual realities. They do not save, but they signify and seal what Christ has accomplished.

African Contextual Commentary

In African Christianity, there can be confusion about the ordinances. Some groups elevate them to magical rituals that automatically convey grace. Others minimize them as mere symbols with no real significance. This statement affirms the biblical view: baptism and the Lord's Supper are important, commanded by Christ, but they are only two in number. African Christians should not add traditional rituals, prosperity rites, or other practices to these two ordinances. They are meaningful signs, not magical ceremonies, and they must be observed according to Scripture.