And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:18-21 (emphasis added)

Corporate worship in a local church is the primary ministry of the local church. Corporate worship has four indispensable components: (1) Reading & Preaching the Word, (2) Prayer, (3) Worship in Song, (4) The Sacraments—Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

We have considered the Word (both reading and preaching), Prayer, and Worship in Song. This time: we continue with some considerations regarding Worship in the administration of the sacraments.

There are only two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

Sacraments are outward physical symbols of an inward spiritual reality. The inward spiritual reality is that one has been born again by the Holy Spirit of God, and is therefore saved. If the reality has not happened, the symbol is meaningless and should not be performed or partaken of.

Sacraments are also called ordinances because they are commanded (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:38, and Matthew 26:26, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).

The sacraments are rituals. Rituals are not bad if they are Biblical; if we understand what they mean, and we partake thoughtfully and reverently.

The sacraments are normally to be administered as an act of corporate worship. Only in very special circumstances should they be administered privately. The sacraments are to be administered by the Church, in a local church, preferably by duly ordained officers of the local church (Elders or Deacons).

Believers are to observe the sacraments regularly and frequently until Christ returns.