Let’s take a look at what some of the irregular churches have added to their practices outside of scripture as having something to do with salvation.
As we cover each of these sacraments, we’re going to ask the same question to see how it figures into the real overall picture.
When Christ was on the cross, He took the time to address one of the malefactors who asked Jesus to remember 91
The Facts About Scriptural Baptism
him when He came into His kingdom. Jesus told him “To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
We know without the shadow of a doubt that this one thief died and went to heaven; Jesus’ own words confirmed this. Some people we might doubt, this one man was a certainty. The question we will ask is “Did the thief on the cross do this?”
The first sacrament is called baptism; that isn’t what it is, but that’s what it’s called. Was the thief on the cross ever baptized? No, he wasn’t.
The second is confirmation; a sprinkling with oil and laying on of hands. Was the thief on the cross ever confirmed? No, he wasn’t.
Then there is the eucharist; the corruption of the Lord’s Supper. By the Catholics’ own declaration this completes the initiation of the person. Never was this offered to the thief, but he still went to heaven.
Next is penance; not to be confused with repentance.
This is spilling your guts to a priest and the priest absolving you of your sin. Jesus has the power to forgive sin, but no clergy of any religion has that power. Did the thief on the cross do any Hail Mary or Our Fathers? No, he did not.
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Extreme Unction is commonly referred to as Last Rites, a ceremony to prepare the person for their passing; I presume this is a “dotting of the I’s and crossing of the T’s”
ceremony. Again, the thief on the cross went through none of this.
We’ll skip over “Holy Orders” and “Matrimony”.
Moving past the sacraments, there are those who believe that all you must do to get into heaven is to do more good than evil while here, and you’re good to go.
The good works theory is busted in Ephesians 2:8-10. And also by the thief on the cross, who had no time for either good works, or works of righteousness.
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we
have done, but according to his mercy he
saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
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The Facts About Scriptural Baptism
Qualifications for Baptism
A scriptural candidate for baptism is one who has realized that they are a sinner; that there is nothing they can do within themselves to change that fact. They acknowledge they deserve hell, but don’t wish to go there; that Jesus died for them so that they don’t have to.
They’ve repented of their sin, and asked Jesus to save them from the hell they deserve. No newborn infant has ever done this.
This is the first of four requirements for Scriptural Baptism, a scriptural candidate
Second, it has to have scriptural authority, which is the local New Testament church.
Third, it must have a scriptural administrator, someone appointed by the church to carry out the ordinance.
Lastly, it must have a scriptural mode; enough water to submerge the candidate into.
The lack of any single one of these requirements renders the baptism unscriptural. Again, baptism never saves; that was not its intention; it is a personal testimony that the candidate has chosen to follow Jesus.
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The Facts About Scriptural Baptism
The local New Testament church has but two ordinances. The first, baptism, came about at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry.
The second, the Lord’s Supper, came at the end of it.
Neither can, together or separate, save anyone. They both point to our Savior. If you believe your salvation is or was dependent on either of these services, please ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart.
Then you are eligible for a scriptural baptism.
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The Facts About the Lord’s Supper
This church ordinance has been known by multiple designations, it has one term given to it in scripture, but has been called by various names, serving various purposes, with various elements involved.
Many denominations consider a corruption of this ordinance as a sacrament: a means of grace, considering it a necessary part of salvation.
The ordinance that the New Testament churches use is observed with unleavened bread and grape juice, and some denominations use this as well; others use leavened bread or wine as one of the ingredients.
Some see the Lord’s Supper as purely symbolic while some teach transubstantiation: that the bread and wine become actual body and blood of Christ.
As we look at each point, we will try to examine the different
beliefs of the Catholics, near-Catholics, Protestants, and Baptists; we will see what the scriptures say about it, recognizing the scriptures are the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
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The Facts About the Lord’s Supper
The Last Supper is the First Supper All major denominations recognize that the Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Lord’s Supper with the third cup of the Passover.
Luke 22
18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the
fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God
shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave
thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them,
saying, This is my body which is given for
you: this do in remembrance of me.
The Lord’s Supper was delivered as an ordinance to the New Testament churches. Had it been delivered to the apostles as apostles, it would have died with them, and Paul would not have had to explain to the church at Corinth what they were doing wrong.
1 Corinthians 11
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The Facts About the Lord’s Supper
23 ¶ For I have received of the Lord that
which also I delivered unto you, That the
Lord Jesus the same night in which he was
betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had
given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take,
eat: this is my body, which is broken for you:
this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the
same manner also he took the cup, when he
had supped, saying, This cup is the new
testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as
ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
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The Purpose of the Lord's Supper
Anyone who thinks sacraments play a part in their salvation is calling Jesus a liar. Why are they calling Him that?
As Jesus was paying the price for our sins on the cross, His sixth recorded cry from the cross was a proclamation. He said “Τετέλεσται”.(te·te·les·tai) This phrase is translated as “It is finished” and is present tense, not future. The verb of the phrase, τέλεω (ta·leh·o), can be translated as ended, completed, executed, discharged as a debt would be, accomplished, done, fulfilled, or paid.
A sacrament is saying Jesus was wrong: that it wasn’t finished; we have more to do, and something to do, with our salvation.
The need of a sacrament is to say Jesus didn’t pay it all: that the God who is our Creator, who formed the trillions of stars and knows them each by name, didn’t live up to His name, The Salvation of the LORD.
A sacrament says that what Jesus couldn’t do, we can. Can you imagine anything more outrageous or maniacal? How full of themselves can anyone be?
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How can any work we do compare in value to the lifeblood of God the Son? How can anyone believe that if the Father wasn’t satisfied with the sacrifice of His One and Only Son that some ritualistic ceremony that we do can carry any weight?
Because it doesn’t. Sacraments never have, and never will. So, what purpose does the Lord’s Supper serve?
To remember His sacrifice for us: His death.
1 Corinthians 11
24 And when he had given thanks, he brake
it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which
is broken for you: this do in remembrance
of me. 25 After the same manner also he
took the cup, when he had supped, saying,
This cup is the new testament in my blood:
this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in