Our Ordinances

There are two visible symbols that Christ gave the church that serve as reminders of His death and resurrection.  We commonly refer to these as “ordinances.”  They are baptism and the Lord’s Supper.  Both of these powerful spiritual symbols represent a deeper spiritual truth for all believers.

Why do we baptize?

(1)

The motive of baptism—expressing faith in Christ. 

     At Ridgecrest, we ask every member to express his or her faith in Christ by being baptized in the way that Jesus demonstrated.  Scripture tells us that “Those who accepted His message were baptized…” (Acts 2:41).

     Some believers may have gone through a process called “confirmation.”  Even though this may have resulted in a personal profession of faith in Christ, we believe that baptism by immersion is also a vital part of our public commitment to Christ.

Our church does not practice “infant baptism.”  This custom began about 300 years after the Bible was completed and is practiced by some denominations.  We believe in “believers baptism.”  A person cannot experience Scriptural baptism unless he or she has first professed Jesus as Savior and Lord.  Obviously, an infant is incapable of making such a decision.

     Our church does observe what we call “family dedication.”  This ceremony is a part our Sunday worship celebration and represents a covenant between parents and their children.  Parents promise to raise their child in the faith until he or she is old enough to make a personal confession of Christ. 

(2)

The meaning of baptism—the life of Christ.

Baptism powerfully illustrates the life of Christ in several ways.

  …it illustrates the death and resurrection of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 15:3- 4 and Colossians 2:12)

  …it illustrates my life as a follower of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 6:4)

(3)

The mode of baptism—immersion.

Why do Southern Baptists baptize by immersion? 

We can point to three basic reasons:
     …because Jesus was baptized this way (see Matthew 3:16)

     …every baptism in the Bible was by immersion (see Acts 8:38-39)

     …the word “baptize” means “to immerse in water.”

The meaning of the Lord’s Supper

     As significant as the birth of Christ was, Jesus never asked His disciples to remember it.  However, He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection.  Let’s address three common questions about the Lord’s Supper.

(1)

What is the Lord’s Supper?  (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
…it is a meal (v. 23)
…it is a symbol (v. 24)
…it is a covenant (v. 25)
…it is a testimony (v. 26)

(2)

Who should participate in the Lord’s Supper?

…only those who are already believers (see 1 Corinthians 11:29 and Mark 14:22-26)

(3)

How often do we observe the Lord’s Supper?

…at least four times a year