Does a Christian have to attend every service a church has?
The simple answer is “no.” There is no New Testament command for believers to maintain perfect attendance at church. Attending every church service does not make a person “holier” than the one who misses a service here and there. Our relationship with God is not based on rule-following or punching a time clock at church; it’s based on our position in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:2). The question that matters in eternity is not “How many times was I in church,” but “Did I truly know Jesus Christ?” (Matthew 7:21–23).
How often should we celebrate the Lord’s Supper / Communion?
Answer: The Bible does not instruct us how often we should take communion. First Corinthians 11:23–26 records the following instructions for communion: “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, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” This passage gives all the instructions needed to perform the rite of communion, and therefore, to understand the significance of what we are doing.
I was baptized by a non-ordained person. Do I need to be baptized by an ordained minister?
Answer: The Bible is very clear about baptism. There are two points we all need to understand. (1) Baptism is to take place after a person has received Jesus Christ as Savior, trusting in Him alone for salvation. (2) Baptism is to be by immersion. The word baptize literally means to “immerse/submerge in water.” Baptism by immersion is the only method of baptism that adequately illustrates what baptism symbolizes — believers dying, being buried with Christ, and being raised to newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).
Is baptism required before a person can receive communion?
Answer: Scripture does not state that a person must be baptized before being able to receive the Lord’s Supper. However, the same requirement for both baptism and partaking of the Lord’s Supper is salvation through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
What is the symbolism of water baptism?
Answer: Water baptism symbolizes the believer’s total trust in and total reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as a commitment to live obediently to Him. It also expresses unity with all the saints (Ephesians 2:19), that is, with every person in every nation on earth who is a member of the Body of Christ (Galatians 3:27–28). Water baptism conveys this and more, but it is not what saves us. Instead, we are saved by grace through faith, apart from works (Ephesians 2:8–9). We are baptized because our Lord commanded it: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
When should children become baptized?
Answer: Before taking communion, the main requirement for all children (as with all adults) is that they have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. In the Episcopal Faith, parents or guardians can speak for the child as soon as they are born.
Who performs baptisms?
Answer: The Bible does not specifically address this question. When one looks through the baptisms recorded in the Gospels and the Book of Acts, it appears disciples of either Jesus or John the Baptist or a godly Christian can perform a baptism. It was as a result of believing the good news of Jesus Christ that people were then willing or desiring baptism.
Should a church participate in fund-raising?
Answer: First, we must define what we mean by “church fund-raising” because the Bible commands and God blesses the giving of “offerings.” God loves a “cheerful giver”— one who gives abundantly out of a heart of love for God (2 Corinthians 2:8-9). Paul provides instruction and a great deal of discussion about giving in 2 Corinthians 8-9, and he also shows great appreciation to those who gave to him at various times to enable him to continue his ministry (Philippians 4:14-20). You also find records of generous giving in the early church (Acts 4:32-37). Church fund-raising, then, is something other than the normal giving of a congregation toward the work of the Lord.
Should any Christian of any denomination receive communion?
Answer: The difference between “open” and “closed” communion hinges on a church’s view of the purpose of communion and the authority of the church. The Church of the Apostles practices “open” communion as we invite all professed believers in Christ to join in observing the ordinance.
The following questions are important. If you want to find out more, please call the church and we will have a member of our senior staff contact you.
- Should the church become involved in social issues and causes?
- What day is the Sabbath, Saturday or Sunday?
- What does the Bible say about being a God-parent?
- Does the Bible refer to chanting? Should a Christian chant?
- What does the Bible say about Christian confirmation?
- Explain what does the Bible say about church growth?
- What does the Bible say about church hierarchy?
- What does the Bible say about infant baptism?
- Explain what does the Bible say about liturgy?
- What does the Bible say about world missions?
- What factors should one consider when trying to find a good local church?
- Should a Christian participate in liturgical worship?
- What is a bishop in the Episcopal Church?
- Provide the definition of a Christian minister?
- What is a Christian missionary?
- Explain what is a denomination?
- What constitutes a Family Integrated Church?
- What is an offertory?
- Explain what are Christian Missions?
- What is ministry?
- What is pastoral theology?
- Explain what is the church?
- What is the duty/role of a pastor’s wife?
- What is the importance of Christian baptism?
- Explain the importance of the Lord’s Supper / Christian Communion?
- What is the meaning of Christian worship?
- What is the origin and purpose of church bells?
- Is there a proper mode of baptism?
- What is the purpose of church by-laws (bylaws)?
- What is the purpose of the church?
- Explain the role of ushers in the church?
- What is the value of having a church family?
- What should be the mission of the church?
- Explain what should I be looking for in a church?
- What was the Protestant Reformation?
- When is it right to leave a church and look for another one?
- Is there a right time to build a new church building?
- Why are there so many Christian denominations?
- Why do we have to dress up so nice for the Church?
- Is church attendance important?
- Why is church membership so important?
- Why should I believe in organized religion?