Elders, the Lord's Supper, and baptism
Claim examined: Baptism and conversion
Scriptural Answer
My reply: Robert Sandeman has no bearing whatsoever on the churches of Christ doctrine. Elders who rule in each congregation are plainly set forth in the Bible, see Titus 1:5. The Lord's supper is also plainly set forth in the Bible, see Acts 20:7. It is the Blood of Christ that actually washes our sins away (Rev. 1:5). But the scriptures teach that this blood cleanses us when we are baptized in response to the gospel of Christ (Rom. 1:16; Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Gal. 3:26, 27; Romans 6:3-6; Titus 3:3-5; Heb. 10:22; Eph. 5:26; Col. 2:11,12). It is all accomplished by obedience in response to faith in Christ (Heb. 5:8,9). Thus we are cleansed by the blood of Christ through faith in the operation of God which takes place when our faith leads us to repent of our sins Acts 3:19; confess Christ (Rom. 10:10; and submit to immersion in the name of Christ (Col. 2:11,12). It is therefore when we are baptized that God's operation of removing our sins from us takes place (Col. 2:11,12) and it is after our baptism into Christ (Gal 3:26,27) that we rise to "walk a new life" (Romans 6:3-6, 17).
KJV Scriptures Used
- Titus 1:5 →
- Acts 20:7 →
- Mark 16:16 →
- John 3:3-5 →
- Acts 22:16; 1 →
- Romans 6:3-6 →
- Titus 3:3-5 →
- Acts 3:19 →
- Romans 6:3-6, 17 →
Read each passage in its chapter and compare the Scriptures together.