Sacraments are holy, visible signs and seals. They were instituted by God so that by their use he might the more fully declare and seal to us the promise of the gospel. Jesus gave us two sacraments: baptism and the Lord's Supper. The sacraments show us the gospel message, and so underscore the preaching of … Continue reading PreCon 14: Sacraments →

Acts 2:42 describes four key activities of the early Christian church. The first that is mentioned is: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching ..." From this, we draw two simple conclusions: first, that teaching is an important activity in the church; and second, that it is focused on the message of Jesus' apostles, that … Continue reading PreCon 13: Preaching and Bible study →

... commit your whole life to the Lord's service ... The word "church" literally means assembly. Believers are not on their own, but they get together to serve the Lord. Not only to have fellowship with each other—that too!—but especially to engage in worship. Worship is an activity we can do individually and as families, … Continue reading PreCon 12: Worship service →

Fourth, do you firmly resolve to commit your whole life to the Lord's service as a living member of his church? When you make public profession of faith, you not only promise that you will serve God, but also that you will do this as a member of the church. Church membership belongs to a … Continue reading PreCon 11: Church membership →

Third, do you declare ... that it is your heartfelt desire ... to forsake the world, and to crucify your old nature? "The world" God created the world good— and yet the Bible instructs us (Rom. 2:12): Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. … Continue reading PreCon 10: Forsaking the World →

Third, do you declare ... that it is your heartfelt desire to serve him according to his Word ...? As a Christian you don't live for yourself, but you live for the Lord. The Bible is very clear on this. The most celebrated people in the Bible called themselves "servants" of God. Who are these … Continue reading PreCon 09: Serving the Lord →

"Third, do you declare that you love the Lord God ...?" The Christian faith is very personal. When you make profession of your faith, you publicly announce: "I love the Lord!" It is similar to what you do when you get married: that, too, is a public declaration of love. It would be strange to … Continue reading PreCon 08: A response of love →

"Do you ... seek your life outside of yourself in Jesus Christ?" Our salvation is the work of the God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Throughout our lives (and even before!) they work with us and in us and for us to give us complete salvation. We can distinguish several aspects or … Continue reading PreCon 07: Salvation →

"Second, do you acknowledge God's covenant promises, which have been signified and sealed to you in your baptism?" God made a covenant The Bible tells us from beginning to end that God has a personal relationship with people. This relationship is called covenant. God took the initiative to make this covenant, but he expects it … Continue reading PreCon 06: Covenant →

"Second, ... do you truly detest and humble yourself before God because of your sins and seek your life outside of yourself in Jesus Christ?" A Christian recognizes that there is something fundamentally wrong with him/her. This wrongness we call "sin". Only if you understand that your sin is real, can you appreciate what it … Continue reading PreCon 05: Sinner saved by grace →