Church Matters, Vol. VII: The Ordinances

Church Matters: The Ordinances

Product Overview: This edition of Church Matters systematically dismantles the modern, individualistic approach to baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Countering the prevalent idea that the ordinances are private, "me-and-Jesus" activities, this volume reestablishes their corporate nature as practices given exclusively to the gathered local church. The contributors demonstrate how baptism and the Supper function corporately to make the gospel visible, bind members together, and actively constitute the local church body. Pastors and church leaders are provided with theological clarity, historical context, and concrete methodologies for faithfully administering the ordinances within their congregations.

Key Topics Covered in This Issue:

• The precise theological relationship between baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and local church membership.

• Detailed, practical instructions for church leaders on administering the ordinances, including examining baptismal candidates and properly fencing the Lord’s Table.

• An evaluation of how the ordinances operate to provide assurance to believers and actively serve a church’s evangelistic witness.

• Comprehensive historical analyses of the ordinances across various Christian traditions, including the Early Church, the Reformation era, and modern denominational distinctions (e.g., Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Catholic views).

• Contextual guidance for applying the ordinances in specific situations, such as church plants, cross-cultural mission fields, and instances involving paedobaptist visitors.