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Chapter 29

Significant Practices

1. Symbolic Rites
   1. Baptism
      • God’s people are baptized in the “name” of Jesus Christ
      • Baptism into Jesus Christ signifies being united with him – with the corresponding implications
      • Baptism signifies belief
      • Baptism signifies the washing away of sins
      • Baptism signifies or is linked with receiving the Holy Spirit . . .
      • . . . Receiving the Holy Spirit is sometimes spoken of as being “baptized” with the Holy Spirit
      • Further notes on baptism
      • Note: John the Baptist’s baptism, for repentance
   2. The Lord’s Supper
      • Observe the Lord’s Supper – in remembrance of Jesus Christ and his death
      • Participating in the Lord’s Supper also symbolizes participating in the blood and body of Jesus Christ
      • Further insights on the Lord’s Supper
      • Do not participate in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner
   3. Circumcision: Its Needlessness
      • Circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham – and included in the Mosaic Law
      • Circumcision does not bring salvation
      • For believers, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is of any consequence
      • It is our hearts that must be circumcised – as is ultimately accomplished by God
      • Denunciation of people advocating circumcision

2. Other Significant Practices
   1. Confession of Jesus Christ
      • Confess Jesus Christ, before others
      • Things to confess (or acknowledge) about Jesus Christ
      • Examples of people making confessions about Jesus Christ
      • Outcomes of confessing Jesus Christ
      • Note: If we deny Jesus Christ, he will deny us
   2. Keeping the Sabbath Holy
      • On finishing creation, God rested on the seventh day – and made it holy
      • Observe the Sabbath as holy by resting on it
      • Observance of the Sabbath was given as a sign between God and his people Israel
      • Further reasons for keeping the Sabbath holy
      • It is permissible to do good and necessary things on the Sabbath
      • On the Sabbath God’s people assemble for worship . . .
      • . . . During Sabbath worship there is teaching, with reading of Scripture
      • Blessings for keeping the Sabbath holy – and judgments for not
      • Verses alleged to indicate that Christians do not need to keep the Sabbath
      • Note: Early Christians met together on the first day of the week
   3. Fasting
      • Fasting involves abstaining from food and drink
      • Fasting can be done regularly – as an adjunct to prayer and worship
      • Fasting can be done on particular occasions, in petitioning God – as in seeking God’s help . . .
      • . . . or as in asking God to relent from punishing sin
      • Fasting can be done to express distress in trouble or remorse over sin
      • Note: Fasting in itself is not significant
   4. The Laying on of Hands
      • In conveying the gift of the Holy Spirit
      • In conveying blessing
      • In conveying God’s healing
      • In commissioning for ministry
      • Note: The OT use of oil to anoint and consecrate people for God’s service

 ➜Major headings in: 29. Significant Practices (and all of Unit F)

Pray for persecuted Christians