Category Archives: Sacraments

Baptism: Grace and Baptism, Part 1 (The Flat Hermeneutic Problem)

In recent discussions about baptism, I’ve mentioned a couple of times that I believe that God’s grace will cover baptismal error. Grace will not, however, cover the absence of faith in Jesus. I had hoped that the doctrine of grace … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Uncategorized | 68 Comments

Baptism: “Repent” in Acts 2:38

[This is a bit long but doesn’t easily break into pieces. Next post will be Friday (Lord willing), to give time to reflect (and watch football. Roll Tide!)] Long-time reader Royce asks in a comment, True repentance means one turns … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Uncategorized | 63 Comments

Is Baptism a Work, Part 6B, Part 2

3. Does the “gospel,” as the term is used in the Gospels, include water baptism? No. “Gospel” in the Gospels is a reference to the good news promised by the prophets of the Old Testament, and there is no mention … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Uncategorized | 124 Comments

Is Baptism a Work, Part 6B, Part 1

A few days ago, I asked a series of five questions regarding baptism, urging the readers to narrow the discussion to just these five questions. I had several reasons for doing this, one being in hopes of ending the constant drone … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Uncategorized | 24 Comments

Is Baptism a Work, Part 6

Back in July 2014, I posted a series on baptism, and a subset of that series consisted of 5 lessons on “Is Baptism a Work?” Here are the links: Baptism: Is Baptism a “Work”? Part 1 Baptism: Is Baptism a … Continue reading

Posted in Baptism, Uncategorized | 64 Comments

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (FAQs)

Q. Should we practice open or closed communion? A. The Churches of Christ have always practiced open communion. Following Alexander Campbell’s counsel to neither “invite nor debar,” the Churches never refuse communion to anyone present (other than an unbaptized child). Most Churches … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians, Communion Meditations, Lord's Supper, Uncategorized | 20 Comments

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (The First Century Pattern for Communion)

It’s easy enough to compare our contemporary communion practices with the practices of the First Century and see a huge difference. We’ve managed to turn a real meal involving real fellowship among believers into a symbolic meal involving virtually nothing … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians, Communion Meditations, Lord's Supper | 9 Comments

1 Corinthians 11:27-34 (“If Anyone Is Hungry”)

(1Co 11:27-28 ESV) 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians, Communion Meditations, Lord's Supper, Uncategorized | 12 Comments

Post Up at Wineskins

My post Reflecting on “The Future of Churches of Christ: Table & Baptism” is up at Wineskins. It fits well with the 1 Corinthians 11 materials on communion. You might want to take a look.

Posted in Baptism, Lord's Supper, Sacraments, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Post Up at Wineskins

1 Corinthians 11:22-26 (the Supper of the Lord)

(1Co 11:22 ESV) 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in … Continue reading

Posted in 1 Corinthians, 1 Corinthians, Communion Meditations, Lord's Supper, Uncategorized | 15 Comments