Our Core Practices ...

      ORDINANCES ARE RICH

                     EXPERIENCES FOR BELIEVERS

Ordinances are worship and faith disciplines which have been specifically ordained by Jesus in his instructions to his followers. We believe the ordinances are symbolic of something that is happening in the believer as a direct act of God’s spirit. The symbolic act witnesses to an inner reality. These symbols affirm and remind us of what God has done in Christ.

  Baptism by immersion is a first step for the new believer.

The term baptism, in the biblical Greek, means to immerse. Immersion of believers is the only form of baptism that is indicated in the New Testament. Through baptism the new believer witnesses to a new spiritual dimension in his or her life. Baptism is also a witness to the church that the new believer is a part of its fellowship and work and to family and friends that he or she is now an active participant in the Christian community (Mark 1; Matthew 28; Acts 2:38).

  The Lord’s Supper, often called Communion,

is an affirmation oneness Christ. In the sacramental churches it often called Eucharist (?thanksgiving?), a reference to thanks offered over 10:16). Supper both terms used Paul his writings (1 11:20; 1 Corinthians 10:16, KJV). Church God congregations frequently share elements Lord’s Supper. Many have first Sunday each month (including World Communion Sunday), New Year’s Eve, on Maundy Thursday. The bread cup are symbolic grace experienced life believer. Through participation in Lord?s Supper, the believer remembers and celebrates the liberating death of Jesus Christ by which our salvation is made possible.

 Foot washing is an ordinance practiced by many churches.

It is an act symbolizing the servant ministry of all Christians to each other and to the world. Usually men assemble in one room and women in another. In some congregations, young persons assemble separately so they can be instructed more fully on the meaning and practice of foot washing. Some congregations now provide opportunity for family groups to participate in the ordinance of foot washing. Persons wash each other’s feet, sing hymns, and give personal testimonies of God’s blessing on their lives. Participation is not considered a "test of faith." Rather, it is a spiritual experience which Christians are encouraged to observe and join.

? 2004 Effingham First Church of God
admin@effinghamcog.org.