Lord's Supper, Questions & Answers

“Do this in remembrance of Me.”  -Jesus Christ; 1 Corinthians 11:24

What does the Lord’s Supper represent?

When we partake of it we memorialize the sacrificial death of our Savior and remember that one day He will come again.

What does the bread represent? 
The body of Jesus given for us on the cross for our salvation.

What does the cup represent?
The blood that Jesus shed for our sins.

Why is the bread unleavened?
At the last supper Jesus was sharing a Passover meal with the disciples when He instituted the Lord’s Supper. Passover bread was always unleavened. Also, in the Bible leaven (or yeast) is sometimes used as a symbol of sin. Jesus, of course, was without sin.
Our church uses matzo, the bread Jews use for their Passover today (it can be purchased at larger grocery stores). It tastes like an unsalted cracker. Some churches have someone bake an unleavened loaf of bread; but it should be unleavened!

Do the bread and cup really become the body and blood of Jesus?
No. They are only symbols to remind us of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. If they did literally become the body and blood of Jesus, Jesus would be sacrificed again each time we observe this supper. Jesus’ death and resurrection was the once for all perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity.

But, didn’t Jesus say of the bread, “This is My body” and of the cup, “This is My blood?”
Yes, but we believe He meant it symbolically rather than literally. A man may point to a 3”X5” photo and say, “This is my wife.” He does not mean it literally, but that it is a symbol, a representation of his wife. Other examples: Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” and “I am the door.” Jesus, however, is not a literal loaf of bread or a door that swings on hinges. These are statements obviously meant to be taken symbolically.

There are three views in different church denominations:
Transubstantiation - the bread and cup literally become the body and blood of Jesus.
Consubstantiation - the bread and cup spiritually become the body and blood of Jesus.
Symbolic - the bread and cup are not changed at all. They simply represent the body and blood of Jesus. Baptists take the symbolic view.

Who has the authority to observe the Lord’s Supper?
We believe Jesus gave that authority and commandment to the local church. A Baptist Association or convention should not present the Lord’s Supper. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are local church ordinances, not denominational ordinances.

Who should partake of the Lord’s Supper?
Only those who have personally received Christ as their Lord and Savior. The proper order should be: Salvation, Baptism, Lord’s Supper.

Is the Lord’s Supper a sacrament? 
No. Sacrament implies that it has saving power. Faith in Jesus saves us, not good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). We are to do good works, not to save ourselves, but because we are saved.

Is the Lord’s Supper an ordinance of the church?
Yes. An ordinance is a special commandment that Jesus gave to the church. Baptists believe Jesus gave two ordinances to the local church, Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

How often should we partake of the Lord’s Supper?
Jesus said, “As often as you eat this bread…” He did not say how often. Most Baptist churches have the Lord’s Supper about every two or three months. Since the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, took place in the evening, churches usually have it during the Sunday Evening Service. Of course, it can be observed in either a morning or evening service.

How should we prepare to take the Lord’s Supper?
With a reverent, serious attitude. If you are not right with God, you should either get right with Him or not partake of the Lord’s Supper until you do so. The Bible says we should examine ourselves. Never partake of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner.

Should fermented wine be used in the Lord’s Supper?
No. Though the biblical word for wine can mean either fermented* or unfermented grapejuice, that word is never used in reference to the Lord’s supper. Rather it is either the “cup” or the “fruit of the vine.” Using fermented wine supports an evil industry that wrecks countless lives. Alcohol impairs your judgment and causes medical, spiritual, and moral problems. It presents a bad testimony and would be harmful to children and those having a struggle with alcohol. The best, safest Christian practice is to avoid beverage alcohol altogether (Proverbs 23:31-32).
* The words for wine in Scripture were used of either alcoholic (fermented) wine or non-alcoholic (unfermented) wine. Non-alcoholic wine was common in Bible times and could easily be preserved (see Ancient Wine and the Bible). The first century Jewish historian Josephus referred to unfermented wine as “wine,” and as the “fruit of the vine.”

Is the Lord’s Supper to be a big meal?
No. Only the bread and cup are served. Dinner-on-the-grounds, a fellowship meal, etc. should be enjoyed at another time.

Should I let my young children or grandchildren partake in the Lord’s Supper.
Only if they have personally and publicly trusted Jesus as their Savior.

Won’t my children feel left out?
Perhaps, but it gives you the perfect opportunity to teach them the meaning of the Lord’s Supper and the importance of them one day accepting Jesus as their Savior. Parents send a terrible message to their children when they allow them to partake of the Lord’s Supper when they have not yet been saved. You are saying it really doesn’t matter whether you trust Jesus or not.

What is open, close, and closed communion?
Communion is another term used for the Lord’s Supper.
Open Communion is when all believers are welcome to partake when a church has the Lord’s Supper.
Close Communion is when only believers of that particular church denomination or fellowship can partake.
Closed Communion is when only members of that particular local church can partake of the Lord’s Supper.
If you are visiting a church that is having the Lord’s Supper, it is best not to partake unless their view is plainly spelled out to you. Be respectful of the beliefs of others. It should not bother you in the least if they are practicing Closed Communion; that is their right.
Many churches today take the position of Open Communion and say, “let a man examine himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28). Rather than the pastor, deacons, or church having to examine each person, that responsibility is placed on the individual. These pastors also explain, “This is not my table, it is the table of the Lord.”

I saw someone who did not partake of the Lord’s Supper. I wonder why? 
That is really none of your business and should not be a topic of gossip. That is between them and the Lord. They may have good reasons of which you have no idea.

What Bible passages tell about the Lord’s Supper? 
Matthew 26:26-30; Mark 14:22-26; Luke 22:19-20; Acts 2:41-42; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-29.

“The Lord’s Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.” -Baptist Faith & Message, 2000, doctrinal statement of the Southern Baptist Convention.

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” -1 Corinthians 11:26

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, August 15, AD 2012. 

Other Articles:
Why We Don't Use Alcohol For The Lord's Supper
Basic Baptist Doctrines / Beliefs
Charles H. Spurgeon on Alcohol
Flee Immorality
Baptists on Tithing
More articles in lower right margin

Keeping A Baptist Church Baptist

Baptist churches are free. Most are governed by congregational vote and authority. In other words, the pastor, deacons, and other church leaders certainly have a say, and we recognize that Jesus Christ is to be Head of the church, but the final decision in a local church is up to the vote of the members. 

Therefore, because of this freedom, we sometimes hear of a once Baptist church becoming non-denominational, charismatic or Pentecostal, liberal, or you name it. This is not intended to run down other Christian groups. But I admit to being Baptist and have good reasons for being so.

Here are a few things that may help keep your Baptist Church Baptist. You may not, however, agree with or intend to use all my suggestions. Well, like a good Baptist you are free to pick and choose among my points. Some have said, “You can tell a Baptist, but you can’t tell him much.” These actions can also make you accountable and prevent you and your church from straying too far from biblical theology.

1. Have Baptist in the name of your church. What better way to let your church, the community, and the world know who you are an what you believe. No confusion or deception there. Some also use the SBC logo or the initials “SBC” in small letters on their church sign.
This, however, is not to condemn those Baptist churches who do not include Baptist in their name. Some who do not have Baptist in their church name have my friendship and great respect. There are good, valid reasons on both sides of this issue.

2. Every now and then do a study on what Baptists believe and why they believe it. Sometimes it may be a formal study such as going through the Baptist Faith & Message, 2000. Sometimes it may be one point in a sermon. It can just be a passing comment or illustration. Preach and teach on the Baptist Distinctives (see articles below); what distinguishes Baptists from other Evangelical Christian groups.

3. Teach about and take part in the basic Southern Baptist Mission Offerings: Cooperative Program, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for the International Mission Board, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for the North American Mission Board. Don’t just put CP in your bulletin or financial report. Write it out and explain what it is and what it is for. For these offerings use posters, Prayer Guides, bulletin inserts. Don’t run it in the ground, but let people know where their mission money is going.

4. Every now and then refer to or quote significant Baptist leaders. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with quoting non-Baptist Christian leaders, and I do so.

5. Have key Baptist Christian books in your church library. Talk about them from time to time. Make books available, especially to your church leaders, that explain and defend Baptist beliefs.

6. Subscribe your entire church, or at least your church leadership, to your Baptist State paper. We subscribe every one of our members to the Southern Baptist Texan. Subscribe them to the print copy; you can tell people to look it up on the internet, but they are more likely to read the print copy when it is mailed to their home.
Every now and then during a church service I will refer to an article in it. It will back up what you preach and stand for. It helps your people keep up with what going on with our SBC. Yes, you will occasionally disagree with it, that just goes with being Baptist.
When you have a Revival, church anniversary, a preacher passes away, etc., send the news to your state Baptist paper. People like seeing their church mentioned in the paper, and they enjoy keeping up with churches and preachers in their area.

7. Use the Baptist Hymnal published by LifeWay; 2008. It is a good hymnal including great new and old songs. It will not conflict with what we believe. It is another relatively subtle way of reminding people who we are.

8. Use the Church Covenant. It is available from LifeWay and has been used by many Baptist churches since the 1850s. We have the postcard size in our tract rack and have a stick-on version on the inside cover of our Baptist Hymnals. 

9. Every so often, get extra copies of a good Baptist or Christian book and offer it to your church members. They need good Christian literature in their homes. Some of the larger churches even have their own bookstores.

10. On Mother’s Day and Father’s Day we give that month’s issue of Home Life (a LifeWay magazine) to all the mothers or fathers present.

Use LifeWay and other Baptist literature in Sunday School and Bible Study. You don’t have to exclusively use them, but do use them. For those who may not know, LifeWay is owned by the SBC. Provide tracts and literature that answer questions your members may have about Eternal Security and other Baptist views. Some state Baptist conventions have good tracts on Baptism, Eternal Security, etc. We often stamp our church name and address at the back of these magazines or tracts.

We also use LifeWay’s Parent Life and Mature Living. I sometimes use one of these magazines in hospital visitation. I also use other papers such as The Biblical Evangelist, a good independent Baptist paper that has been supported by many conservative Southern Baptists.

11. Attend the state and national (SBC) conventions when you can. Take some of your members to them or to your state evangelism conference. Give a brief report on them to your church. Brief and as interesting as you can make it; otherwise their eyes will glaze over.

12. Speak positively about Baptists. Some pastors have a sour attitude about the Southern Baptist Convention. That sour attitude rubs off on others. Even dealing with controversial issues can be done in a positive way. And remember, even the New Testament Church also had their disagreements and controversies.

Hope this is helpful. If so, let me know.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, August 6, AD 2012.

Other Articles:
About the Church Covenant
Why I Support the Baptist Association, Part 1
Basic Baptist Doctrines / Beliefs
Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 1 of 3
A Baptist Church Baptizing by Sprinkling?
Top Three Seminaries

More articles in lower right margin.

A Baptist Church Baptizing by Sprinkling?

Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. -Colossians 2:12

I read recently of a Baptist church wanting to baptize a lady who was very sick and in the hospital. According to the story, she could not be baptized by immersion. Their solution? They sprinkled her.

These Baptists called it Baptism. Frankly, it was not. The Greek word for baptize literally means to immerse, dip, or plunge. Even non-Baptist Bible Dictionaries will reveal this. So when you say, “I baptize you,” you are saying, “I immerse you.” How strange to say, “I immerse you,” while sprinkling water on a person.

Several years ago a pastorless Baptist church needed to baptize someone and in their ignorance of both the Bible and Baptist belief they just poured a bucket of water over their head. Brothers, this should not be so. Fortunately, I believe these stories are rare.

In addition to the word baptize literally meaning immerse, baptism is a picture of a death, burial, and resurrection. Sprinkling or pouring does not symbolize this. This symbolism of baptism is teaching three things:

1. I believe Jesus died for my sins, was buried, and rose again.

2. I have died to my old life of sin and have been born again, raised to a new life in Christ.

3. When a Christian dies their spirit goes to Heaven, but their body is laid in the grave. Baptism is saying when Jesus returns the graves will be opened and we will be reunited with our resurrected, glorified body.

Further, some Scripture is detailed enough that it reveals baptism involved going down into the water, and coming up out of the water, or the requirement of much water (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39). You don’t need much water, neither do you need to go down into the water and come up out of the water, if all you need is a teacup of water to sprinkle.

It is also telling that archeologists have found baptistries for immersion in some of the earliest church buildings, churches built in the first centuries of Christianity.

So, what do we do with someone who has trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but for physical reasons cannot be baptized?

First, it is amazing the lengths some will go to follow the Lord in baptism. Jesus walked many miles to be baptized by John in the Jordan River (Matthew 3:13-17). I led a man in his 80s to the Lord, who insisted on being baptized. He needed assistance in getting in and out of the baptistry, but it was a very moving service. In The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow and at SBC Encounters is the story of The Baptism of Linda Potts. If there is any reasonable way you can get baptized, then do so.

Second, baptism does not save us, and has no part in salvation. We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; John 1:12; 3:16, 36; 5:24; Romans 10:9-19, 13). Baptism is only a picture of what happened to us when we were saved. We are, however, commanded to be baptized after we are saved.

Third, a person can go to Heaven without being baptized; he cannot go to Heaven without personal faith in Jesus Christ. If a person literally, physically cannot be baptized, don’t fake it with an unbiblical sprinkling or pouring. We don’t get to make the rules, God does. The thief on the cross could not be baptized, but Jesus told him, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).

The Biblical thing to do is simply recognize the person cannot be Scripturally baptized, but to assure them they are saved and will go to Heaven based on the fact that Jesus died for our sins and rose again, and that they have placed their personal faith in Him.

Note: Some Scripture on Baptism - Matthew 3:13-17; 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, June 12, AD 2012.

Other articles in lower right margin. 

Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 3 of 3

16. Nothing shall separate us from the love of God.  Romans 8:25-39

17. God will keep what we have committed to Him. 2 Timothy 1:12

Notice once again that it is God who does the keeping, not us. 

18. Jesus said He would send a Comforter that would abide with us forever. John 14:16

Forever means, well, forever. The Holy Spirit will not be abiding with those in Hell.

19. It is impossible for one who was saved, if he were to lose his salvation, to ever be saved again.

Why? Because Jesus would have to be crucified again. Hebrews 6:4-6

Christ was offered once for all as a sacrifice for our sins. Hebrews 9:28; Romans 6:10

20. The Bible says we can know that we have (present tense) eternal life. 1 John 5:13

How could we know that if we could lose it? If we had to keep ourselves saved, we could never know for sure if we had eternal life. We would not know until we died if we were going to Heaven or Hell.

21. Jesus said He will tell false professors, “I never knew you.” Matthew 7:21-23

He will not say, “I used to know you, but you lost your salvation.” Rather, He said I never knew you in the first place. They were never saved to begin with.

Objections to Eternal Security

1. That would mean a man could get saved and then do anything he wanted to do.



1. God changes our desires when we get saved.
I sin all I want to; in fact, I sin more than I want to.
2. Not everyone who claims to be saved, really is saved.
There are those who claim to be saved and live like the devil. Maybe they weren’t really saved in the first place. 1 John 2:19
3. God disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:5-11). God even kills some Christians, because of their disobedience (1 John 5:16; Acts 5:1-11). I believe in such a case, God takes them home to Heaven. Much like an earthy father would call a child inside the house for fussing and fighting with his friends and giving the family a bad name (see illustration in The Wit and Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow).
4. There is a danger, however, of trying to judge who is and isn’t saved. Sometimes someone says, “A man may do this and be saved, but he can’t do that and be saved.” We try to determine how far a man may go who is a Christian. Salvation does not make us perfect and we still sin. We can’t always separate the wheat from the tares (Matthew 13:24-30). That is God’s job.
5. On the other hand, it is certainly valid to say of some individuals, “He sure isn’t living like a Christian.” Or, “I don’t see any evidence of that man being a believer.“ But the individual and God are the only ones who know for sure if the person is truly saved.

2. It would cause people to get saved and then do nothing for the Lord.
1. The greatest motivation for serving God is not fear of losing your salvation, but because of God’s love for us.
2. Because of the security we have, we can stop worrying about whether we are going to make it to Heaven or not and get on with the business of serving God.
3. The percentage of mediocre Christians does not seem to be greater among Baptists than among Christian groups who teach falling from grace. We all have mediocre disciples of which we are not proud!

3. What about the Scriptures that seem to teach falling from grace?

If you study them carefully and without prejudice you will find:

1. The person referred to was not saved in the first place.

2. The Scripture does not definitely say that the person was lost and went to Hell after he was saved.

3. The verse is not talking about salvation at all.

4. The verse has been taken out of context.

Belief in eternal security may not solve all the difficult passages. But I am convinced you will have a lot more problems (biblical interpretation problems, and a greater number of difficult verses) if you do not believe in eternal security.

Conclusion:

The story has been told of two men on a plane to San Antonio, Texas. Someone asks the first man, “Are you going to San Antonio?” Nervously he replies, “I sure hope so. I think I got on the right plane. Man, I’m in big trouble if I don’t make it.” He nervously fidgets throughout the flight.

The second man is asked, “Are you going to San Antonio?” Confidently he replies, “Yes.” There is no doubt in his mind. He leans back, drinks a Diet Dr. Pepper® , reads the newspaper, and enjoys the flight.

Which one made it to San Antonio? Both of them did. But the second man enjoyed the flight a whole lot more than the first man.

That is the difference made by believing in eternal security. Those who, based on God’s Word, know they are going to Heaven - can enjoy the trip much more than those who never know for sure.

Note: This message on Eternal Security was originally put together in 1992.
Note 2:  The book, Fights I Didn't Start, and Some I Did (Round 2) by R. L. Sumner has a good chapter defending Eternal Security; Foreword by Bailey Smith.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 14, AD 2012. 

Other Articles:
Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 1 of 3
The Roman Road of Salvation
Church Buildings - Dos and Don'ts #1
About the Church Covenant
What Legalism Really Means
Why We Don't Use Alcohol For The Lord's Supper
Other articles in lower right margin

Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 2 of 3

8. We are kept, not by our power, but by the power of God.  1 Peter 1:5; Jude 24; Psalm 37:24.

If you were to say, “I will give you salvation, but then you will have to keep yourself saved,” I would have to say, “That kind of salvation will not do me much good.” I could’t keep myself saved five minutes.

God does the saving and God does the keeping!

9. If we could lose our salvation, we would never be secure.

We would always be wondering if we would slip up. Always wondering if we will end up in Hell instead of Heaven. Wondering if a former child of God would be burning in the fires of Hell. Without eternal security, there is really no security at all.

10. If we could lose our salvation, what would cause us to lose it? How would we know when we had lost it?

A little sin? A big sin? A lot of little sins? If so, how many little sins? Five, ten, 20? If 20, then could we get away with 19 little sins?

Once again, it would be impossible to know if we were really saved or lost.

11. If we could lose our salvation, then would we need to be baptized over and over again?

This especially applies to those who teach that baptism is a part of salvation. When they lose their salvation, why do they only have to believe again? Why do they not have to be baptized again? Are they not making the baptismal waters more powerful than the blood of Jesus?

Of course their problem is that they would have to continually be baptized. If I believed that way I think I would just stay in the baptistry. Maybe we should just baptize them and shoot them! Send them straight to Heaven!

12. If we could lose our salvation it would mean that God had failed.

It would mean God had tried to keep us, but could not.

It would mean that children of God would be cast into Hell.

13. “Falling from grace” is a contradiction in terms.

Falling from grace is really an oxymoron. Grace means unmerited favor. How can you no longer deserve what you never deserved in the first place?

There is a reference to falling from grace in Galatians. It refers to the point that the Galatians once believed in grace, but now believe in works. They have left the idea of grace behind, hence they have “fallen from grace.”

Galatians was written to refute those who believed you must believe in Jesus and be circumcised in order to be saved, or believe in Jesus plus do good works to be saved. Paul taught that faith in Jesus plus nothing equals salvation.

14. John 10:27-29

In this passage Jesus teaches once saved always saved in four different ways:

1. “I give them eternal life” v. 28a
2. “They shall never perish.” v. 28b
3. “Neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.” v. 28c
4. “No one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” v. 29b

Jesus added, “My Father…is greater than all.” v. 29a. If we are in the Father’s hands, we are secure.

A boy had a nickel in his hand, back in the day when a nickel was worth a lot. He challenged his friend, “If you can get the nickel out of my hand you can keep it.” He closed his hand tightly around the nickel as his friend tried to open it. Finally the friend pried one finger up and started on another. The boy jumped up from the porch and ran inside to his father. He asked his dad to put his big hand around his hand with the nickel. The father did so, and try as he might, his friend could not open his dad’s hand. That is what Jesus and God the Father do for us.

15. Galatians 5:1-4

The problem with the Galatians is that they started out believing in Jesus, but then they began to teach that you must also follow the law to be saved. This is really a form of what those teach who believe you can lose your salvation. In this sense, Galatians is one of the best arguments in favor of eternal security.

-to be continued.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, May 2, AD 2012. 

Other Articles:
Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 1 of 3
Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 3 of 3
How to Get a Life When Ministry Drains it Out of You
Flee Immorality
Other articles in lower right margin

Baptists and Eternal Security, or Once Saved Always Saved; Part 1 of 3

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. -Jude 24

Baptists are known for believing in “Eternal Security,” or, “Once Saved, Always Saved.”

More humorously it has been put, “Methodists believe in falling from grace, and Baptists practice it.” Also said, “Arminians know they have it (salvation), but they’re afraid they’re going to loose it. Calvinists know they can’t loose it, but they’re afraid they don’t have it.” In my humble opinion, most Baptists have it just right. We know we are saved, and we know we can’t loose it.

There are good Christian folks who believe you can lose your salvation.

I believe, however, the Bible teaches eternal security or, once saved always saved, for the following reasons.

Note:  First, a quick explanation. I am referring to someone who has really, truly placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Just because someone says they are saved, does not mean they are saved. The Bible teaches there are those who falsely profess to be believers (Matthew 7:21-23; 1 John 2:19).

1. Everlasting Life Cannot Be Lost. John 3:16

If it can be lost, then it is not everlasting.
If you have it for a year, and then lose it, it is one year life, not everlasting life.

2. Everlasting Life is something the saved person has right now. John 3:16; 5:24

Well, you say, “Everlasting life may be everlasting, but you do not receive it until you get to Heaven.” No, it is something we possess right now.

John 3:16 - “have” is present tense
John 5:24 - “has” (or “hath”) is present tense

Everlasting life is something the saved person has right now.

3. We are sealed until the day of redemption. Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30

When a king sealed a document, it was as good as already done. No one could break the seal until the proper time.

You yourselves write a decree concerning the Jews, as you please, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s signet ring; for whatever is written in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s signet ring no one can revoke. -Esther 8:8

4. We have been given the Holy Sprit. His is the “guarantee” (or “earnest”) of our inheritance. Ephesians 1:13-14

Guarantee - deposit, earnest money.

When you buy a house you are asked to put down “Earnest Money” to guarantee you are serious and plan to buy the house. The Holy Spirit is our Guarantee of even more things to come when we receive our full inheritance in Heaven. You don’t give a “guarantee” and then take it back.

5. If you could lose your salvation then salvation would be of works. Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:28

Someone says, “No, we are saying that salvation is of grace, and then you have to keep yourself saved.”
Then you are making salvation part of grace and part of works. But for the grace of God AND your good works of keeping yourself saved, you would not make it to Heaven.
Instead of singing “Jesus Paid It All” you would have to sing:
“Jesus paid a part,
Some to Him I owe.
Sin hath left a crimson stain,
We washed it white as snow.”

But salvation is all of grace, not of works lest anyone should boast.

6. You never cease to be a child of your parents. John 1:12

You may disobey your biological parents, but you never cease to be their child. Disobedience hurts your fellowship; but it does not affect your relationship. You are still their child.
After we become children of God, the same is true. You can’t be “un-born again.”

7. Paul said that we have been adopted into the family of God.
Romans 8:14-17, 23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5
Adoption meant you became, in every legal sense, a part of the family. It was viewed as a permanent relationship.
(to be continued)

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 17, AD 2012. 

Other Articles:
Basic Baptist Doctrines / Beliefs
Dr. Robert Wring on Baptists and Elder Rule
Pastors, Salaries, Parsonages
Other articles in lower right margin.

Basic Baptist Doctrines / Beliefs

Below is material we used in teaching Deacons. I reprint it here, with some revision, to remind us of what we believe. This is a brief list with no attempt to give the Scriptural reasons for these beliefs. That will be left for other articles. This is a summary. For a complete statement, read the Bible!

Fundamental or Basic Christian Doctrines are the foundational beliefs of Christianity. They have been believed by all, or at least the huge majority of all Christians.

Distinctive Baptist Doctrines are those beliefs that distinguish (or have distinguished) Baptists from all other, or some other, Evangelical Christian groups.

Fundamental, Basic Christian Doctrines:
1. Divine inspiration and inerrancy of the Bible. The Bible is our supreme rule of faith and practice.

2. The Trinity. God is one, but reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

3. Jesus is God.

4. The Virgin Birth of Jesus.

5. Jesus’ sinless life

6. The blood atonement. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, shed His blood for us.

7. Jesus literally, physically rose from the dead.

8. Literal Return of Christ to the earth.

9. Resurrection and Judgment

10. Reality of Heaven and Hell

11. Man is a sinner in need of a Savior.

12. Personal faith in Jesus is the only way of salvation. Faith alone in Christ alone.

Distinctive Baptist Doctrines:
1. Believers Baptism by Immersion, is the scriptural means of baptism.

2. Two scriptural offices: pastors and deacons. In the Bible pastor, bishop, and elder are used synonymously for the same office.

3. Eternal Security of the believer. Once saved, always saved. But true faith should result in good works for the Lord.

4. Autonomy of the local church. The local church is a democratic body, with Christ as the head of the church. No one outside a local Baptist church can tell them what to do.

5. Religious liberty. Citizens of a country should be free to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. They should be free to witness to others.

6. Requirements for church membership: salvation and believer’s baptism by immersion.

7. Priesthood of the believer. Each believer is responsible before God to search the Scripture and believe and live accordingly.

8. The two ordinances of the church are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. They are not sacraments. A sacrament carries with it the idea of having “saving grace.” We are only saved by personal faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Ordinance - a special command given by Jesus for the church to observe.

9. The elements (unleavened bread & fruit of the vine) of the Lord’s Supper are symbolic, not literal. They are not His literal body, they symbolize Jesus’ body and blood given for us on the cross. The Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice, it is a memorial service.

10. Missions and Evangelism. We are to go into all the world with the Gospel. Baptists believe in giving to missions, for example, through the Cooperative Program, and to the local Baptist Association. Baptists believe in personal involvement in evangelism.

11. Southern Baptists stand against beverage alcohol, destructive drugs, and gambling.

12. Our church is a part of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention (SBTC), and the San Jacinto Baptist Association (SJBA).

Ongoing Christian Life
Baptists believe Bible reading and study, prayer, giving, faithful church attendance, ministry and witnessing should be an ongoing part of the Christian life. Jesus Christ and His Word should be central in all we do.

-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 2, AD 2012.

Other Articles:
Brief History of SBC Conservative Resurgence
Differences Between the 1963 and 2000 Baptist Faith and Message
2006 SBC Resolution on Alcohol Use in America
The Roman Road of Salvation
About the Church Covenant
Adrian Rogers on "Wit & Wisdom of Pastor Joe Brumbelow"
Why I Support the Baptist Association, Part 1