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STEWARDSHIP In Bible times a “steward” was a servant or household overseer who was given certain responsibilities by his lord. Later he was called to give account of how he discharged his responsibility. Read Luke 12:42-48. God considers every believer a steward. He has given each one certain responsibilities, gifts, and talents. Someday we will have to stand before God and give an account as to our faithfulness. Read 1 Cor. 4:2. God has established the church to give believers a place to be instructed and to work. It takes money to operate the church and its programs. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR FINANCING HIS PROGRAM. Giving is a Christian grace and helps one mature spiritually.

BASIC CHRISTIANITY L5

THE LORD’S SUPPER

As Baptism is a picture of the believer’s salvation (being identified with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection and, therefore, only observed once), the Lord’s Supper, also called the Communion Service, is a picture of the believer’s fellowship with Christ and, therefore, observed more often. This ordinance is beautifully set forth in the following two passages: Matt. 26:26-30 and 1 Cor. 11:22-34.

1. WHY SHOULD ONE PARTAKE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER?
   1. Because it is commanded by Christ. 1 Cor. 11:25 says, “This__________ye.” We are to partake of these elements “in__________of me.” (1 Cor.11:24-25).
   2. Because Jesus initiated it and practiced it. (Matt. 26:26-28) We are exhorted in I Peter 2:21 to “follow His __________.”
   3. Because the early church practiced it. Acts 2:42, 46; 20:7.

BASIC CHRISTIANITY L4

SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM Baptism is a divine command (Acts 10:48) and is included in the Great Commission. (Matt. 28:19-20). The Bible mentions water baptism in 77 different verses. In any serious study of the New Testament baptism, four questions must be answered:

I. WHY IS BAPTISM IMPORTANT?

1. There are only two ordinances given by Christ for every believer to observe: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. Of these, Baptism was given first and is mentioned about ten times as often in the New Testament.
2. It is commanded by:
   a. Christ (Matt. 28:19-20). It is part of the Great Commission.
   b. Peter (Acts 10:48) (cf Acts 2:41)
   c. Phillip (Acts 8:38) d. Paul (Acts 19:1-7)
3. Jesus chose to be baptized and publicly to show us that we should be (Matt. 3:15).

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CHURCH MEMBERSHIP Church membership is not only a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility. Since Christ is the Head of the Church, it is an exclusive organization. (Eph. 1:22).

I. WHAT IS A CHURCH?

1. The word translated “church” in the New Testament simply means “an assembly” or literally “called out ones”. A church is a group of believers “called out” of the world (Acts 15:14) by the Holy Spirit, assembled together as the people of God to carry out His orders and to glorify His name.
2. The word “church” in the Bible refers to local churches who have covenanted together to carry out the Great Commission and observe the ordinances given by the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 16:5; Gal. 1:2; Matt. 18:20).

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ASSURANCE Assurance is the intellectual and spiritual certainty that one belongs to God and possesses salvation. God does not want His child to be in doubt about his salvation. The Bible plainly states that a person can and should KNOW that he is on the way to Heaven and that knowing this he may enjoy his salvation.

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SALVATION As a great building rest upon the structure of its foundation, so a church or the Christian life of an individual must be established upon a firm foundation. Jesus Christ is the Foundation, (I Cor. 3:11). Upon this Foundation one must build a structure based upon solid Bible truth. Let us begin our study with reviewing what happened to us when we trusted Christ as our Saviour and Lord.
“…. give diligence to make your calling and election sure …. ” (II Pet. 1:10).