God’s Victory Session VIII

Activity We will now take a short quiz. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the answers, because we will go through them as a group you can write the answers down. You will have about four minutes to complete this quiz.

TheSacraments The Sacraments Sacrament – from Latin: ‘sacramentum’ Sacrament – from Latin: ‘sacramentum’ ‘Sacra’ – “sacred” ‘Sacra’ – “sacred” ‘Mentum’ – “oath” ‘Mentum’ – “oath” “That by which something is bound.” “That by which something is bound.” Ultimately from Greek, ‘mysterion’ Ultimately from Greek, ‘mysterion’

Roman Catholic Sacraments Sacraments of Initiation: Sacraments of Initiation: 1.Baptism 2.Confirmation 3.Eucharist

Roman Catholic Sacraments Sacraments for the sick: Sacraments for the sick: 4.Sacrament for the sick (Extreme Unction) 5.Reconciliation (Penance)

Roman Catholic Sacraments Sacraments of Order: Sacraments of Order: 6.Marriage 7.Holy Order

Protestant Sacraments Baptism Baptism Biblical Interpretation: Biblical Interpretation: 1.Act that follows commitment to Christ 2.Symbolizes cleansing ‘And now why do you delay? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’ Acts 22:16

Protestant Sacraments Biblical Interpretation: Biblical Interpretation: 3.Dying and rising with Christ ‘‘By baptism we were buried with him and lay dead, in order that, as Christ was raised from the dead in the splendor of the Father, so also we might set out feet upon the new path of life…We know that the person we once were has been crucified with Christ, for the destruction of the sinful self, so that we may no longer be the slaves of sin…But if we thus died with Christ, we believe that we shall also come to life with him.’ Romans 6:4-8

Protestant Sacraments Biblical Interpretation: Biblical Interpretation: 4.Confirms incorporation into the body of Christ

Divisions 1.Infant Baptism – Is infant baptism valid? 2.Believer’s Baptism – If we are to be baptized only once … 3.Immersion or just sprinkled? 4.Denomination-Specific? 5.How young? – Is there a minimum age for a believer’s baptism? 6.Necessary? – Is baptism necessary for salvation?

The Lord’s Supper “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: 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.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-26

Biblical Interpretation 1.Remembrance 2.Fellowship 3.Thanksgiving 4.NewCovenant 4.New Covenant 5.Hope

Divisions 1.Transubstantiation – Does the cup and bread actually become the blood and body of Christ? 2.Consubstantiation – Is Jesus in, with, and under the sacrament but not physically in the elements of bread and wine? 3.Calvin – Do the elements only provide a symbol of the spiritual presence of Jesus but still allowing God’s grace to be given through communion?

Divisions 4.Ordinance – Is the Lord’s Supper an ordinance rather than sacrament meaning it is a memorial supper and serves only to bring to memory the event? 5.Non-sacramental – Is it sufficient to just have communion as a feast of the heart with no external demonstration? 6.Closed – Who can participate in the Lord’s Supper? Is it all individuals and used in an evangelistic manner?

Handbook of Doctrine ‘It is fully recognized that outward action can be accompanied by inward response, and can serve to stimulate it. Thus The Salvation Army does not speak against the use of sacramental forms when they serve this end.’

Handbook of Doctrine ‘It is good that the forms are observed, if by so doing the realities they represent are given constant prominence as vital truths that should affect the whole of Christian life. But it is also good that witness is given that these realities are experienced by those who receive and serve without the observance of sacramental rites, and thus give constant emphasis to the indispensable means by which grace is bestowed, received and expressed.’ (p.188).

Implications Can Salvationists participate in communion at another church? Can Salvationists participate in communion at another church? Why does the Salvation Army not participate in the Sacraments? Why does the Salvation Army not participate in the Sacraments? ‘The Salvation Army rejoices in its freedom to celebrate Christ’s real presence at all meals and in all meetings, and in its opportunity to explore in life together the significance of the simple meals shared by Jesus and his friends and by the first Christians. Salvationists are encouraged to use the love feast and develop creative means of hallowing meals in home and corps with remembrance of the Lord’s sacrificial love.’

Activity What if the church denomination we belong to has ordained women in the pulpit and observes the sacraments? The church at large gets annoyed to think that we have women administering the sacraments. To be recognized as a valid church, the administration of our church are given an ultimatum to either not ordain women or to stop administering the sacraments. Which practice would you choose and why? Which practice would you choose and why?

Eschatology The ‘Last Things’ The ‘Last Things’ Is the book of revelation simply a revelation of the person of Jesus glorified and victorious rather than an outline of past or future events? Is the book of revelation simply a revelation of the person of Jesus glorified and victorious rather than an outline of past or future events? Have the events in Revelation already happened with the treatment of Christians by the Romans and the fall of the Roman Empire? Have the events in Revelation already happened with the treatment of Christians by the Romans and the fall of the Roman Empire? Do the events depict a future reality with Christ returning to live in a New Jerusalem on a new earth with all those who are saved? Do the events depict a future reality with Christ returning to live in a New Jerusalem on a new earth with all those who are saved?

Dispensationalism ‘The interpreting of history, present and future as a series of divine ordered affairs of the world.’

Activity Share with you neighbor your understanding of the end times and they can share with you their understanding. While sharing, I would also like you to write down some terms that you both use concerning the end times.

We should live expectantly for His return, but continue in today’s work of participating in God’s mission.

Doctrine 11 ‘We believe in the immortality of the soul, in the resurrection of the body, in the general judgment at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked.’

Covenant God Knocks at my door Seeking a home for his son. Rent is cheap, I say. I don’t want to rent, I want to buy, says God. I’m not sure I want to sell, But you might come in to look around. I think I will, says God.

Covenant I might let you have a room or two. I like it, says God. I’ll take the two. You might decide to give me more some day. I can wait, says God. I’d like to give you more, But it’s a bit difficult. I need some space for me. I know, says God, but I’ll wait. I like what I see. Hmm, maybe I can let you have another room. I really don’t need that much. Thanks, says God, I’ll take it. I like what I see.

Covenant Hmm, maybe I can let you have another room. I really don’t need that much. Thanks, says God, I’ll take it. I like what I see. I’d like to give you the whole house But I’m not sure … Think on it, says God. I wouldn’t put you out. Your house would be mine and my son would live in it. You’d have more space that you’d ever had before.

Covenant I don’t understand at all. I know, says God, but I can’t tell you about that. You’ll have to discover it for yourself. That can only happen if you let me have the whole house. A bit risky, I say. Yes, says God, but try me. I’m not sure – I’ll let you know. I can wait, says God. I like what I see.