The two ceremonies (ordinances) Christ commanded His Church to perform are Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.
- Baptism symbolizes dying and rising with Christ and having sins washed away (Romans 6:1-11).
- The Lord’s Supper is to be observed repeatedly by believers as a sign of continuing in fellowship with Christ (Matthew 26:26-29). It primarily symbolizes our participation in the benefits of Christ’s death, spiritual nourishment, the unity of believers, affirmation of Christ’s love for us and the blessings of salvation, and affirmation of our faith in Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
- Worship is the activity of glorifying God in his presence with our voices and hearts (Colossians 3:16). The results of genuine worship are (1) we delight in God; (2) God delights in us (3) we draw near to God and he draws near to us; (4) God ministers to us; (5) unbelievers know they are in God’s presence.
- Spiritual gifts are any abilities empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 1 Corinthians 12:28). They are given to equip the church to carry out its ministry until Christ returns.
- Prophecy is telling something that God has spontaneously brought to mind (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21).
- Teaching is the ability to explain Scripture and apply it to people’s lives (2 Timothy 2:2).
- Healing serves as a sign to authenticate the gospel message, to show the kingdom of God has come, to bring comfort and health to show God’s mercy, to equip people for service, and to provide opportunity for God to be glorified (James 5:14-15).
- Speaking in tongues is prayer or praise spoken in syllables not understood by the speaker (1 Corinthians 14).
- Interpretation of tongues is reporting to the church the general meaning of something spoken in tongues (1 Corinthians 14:5).
*Resources Added From Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology
