Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

/ 1 2 5

T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

b. What actually do the sacraments accomplish? Among Christians there is disagreement as to whether or not sacraments are merely signs, pointing to spiritual realities, or whether or not God actually supplies the Christian with unique and empowering grace and blessing in association with it. c. Who is free to administer the rites? In certain traditions and denominations, only specially ordained or recognized leaders are permitted to administer the sacraments, while in others, any believer in good fellowship may administer the rites, as opportunity permits. d. Who are the appropriate recipients? Virtually all Christian traditions would suggest that baptism and the Lord’s Supper should be practiced by believers, for baptism as a sign of one’s identification with Christ, and the Lord’s Supper relates to the believer’s union and celebration of Jesus’ death on their behalf.

C. The final Reformation mark of the Church is “Where the discipline is rightly ordered,” which deals with the life and structure of the assembly under the leadership of its own pastors and elders through the Holy Spirit.

4

1. The right order of discipline refers to the life structure among the body members. All forms of order exist for the upbuilding and edification of the Church.

a. John 13.34-35

b. 1 Cor. 10.23-24