Topical Bible: the Head of the Church Christ: Instituted the Ordinances

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In Christian theology, Jesus Christ is recognized as the Head of the Church, a foundational truth that underscores His authority and leadership over the body of believers. This concept is rooted in several New Testament passages, notably Ephesians 1:22-23 : "And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all."

As the Head of the Church, Christ instituted key ordinances that serve as outward expressions of inward faith and obedience. These ordinances, commonly recognized as Baptism and the Lord's Supper (or Communion), are vital practices within the Christian faith, symbolizing the believer's identification with Christ and His redemptive work.

Baptism

Baptism is an ordinance instituted by Christ as a public declaration of faith and a symbolic act of identification with His death, burial, and resurrection. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus commands His disciples: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

This directive, known as the Great Commission, underscores the importance of baptism as an integral part of the disciple-making process. Baptism serves as a visible sign of the believer's new life in Christ, as articulated by the Apostle Paul in Romans 6:3-4 : "Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life."

The Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper, also known as Communion, is another ordinance instituted by Christ, serving as a memorial of His sacrificial death and a proclamation of His return. During the Last Supper, Jesus established this practice, as recorded in Luke 22:19-20 : "And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'"

The Apostle Paul further emphasizes the significance of the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 : "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes."

Through these ordinances, Christ not only provides a means for believers to express their faith and commitment but also fosters a sense of unity and continuity within the Church. As the Head, He ensures that these practices remain central to the life and worship of His followers, serving as enduring reminders of His grace and lordship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 28:19
Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 22:19,20
And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Marks of the True Church, and Wherein it Differs from the ...
... and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the ... passion, and obedience of our
Lord Jesus Christ, in whom ... As for the false Church, it ascribes more power ...
/.../various/the belgic confession /article xxix the marks of.htm

The Basis of Union of the United Church of Canada.
... the Holy Spirit to Christ their Head are one ... this universal brotherhood, every
particular Church throughout the ... Supper, which were instituted by Christ, to be ...
/.../the creeds of the evangelical protestant churches/the basis of union of.htm

The Baptist Confession of 1688.
... of Rome, in any sense, be head thereof, but is ... 8. A particular church gathered and
completely organized, according to the mind of Christ, consists of ...
/.../the baptist confession of 1688.htm

Whether Above the Priestly Order There Ought to be an Episcopal ...
... in the Church, since He is the Head of the ... Now a priest represents Christ in that
He fulfilled a ... in that He instituted other ministers and founded the Church. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether above the priestly order.htm

What the Keyes of the Kingdome of Heaven Be, and what their Power.
... promised by the Lord Jesus (the head and King ... of the kingdom are the Ordinances which
Christ hath instituted, to be administred in his Church; as the ...
/.../the keyes of the kingdom of heaven and power thereof/chap i what the keyes.htm

The Lord's Supper.
... marking them out by corresponding symbols, the Head of the ... the support of the ministers
of the Church, as for ... that such was the beverage used by Christ when He ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter iii the lords supper.htm

The Ordinances of the New Testament.
... it was a little water sprinkled on the head somewhere in ... is it not the communion
of the body of Christ?" 1:Cor ... of the gospels and observed by the church when it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter viii the ordinances of.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... participated in the faith of the head of the ... gospel institution with "the circumcision
of Christ;" [220:1 ... received some visible token of Church membership; and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

The Savoy Declaration of the Congregational Churches. AD 1658.
... the Lord Jesus Christ, as King and Head thereof. ... person can not continue in any Church
without his ... Administration of any Ordinances instituted by Christ, or by ...
/.../the savoy declaration of the.htm

The Preparatory Service; Sometimes Called the Confessional Service ...
... If now we take these passages together, we must admit that in their plain literal
sense; they do teach that Christ, the Head of the Church, has in some ...
/.../chapter xvi the preparatory service.htm