Baptist General Conference

Like most Baptists, the Baptist General Conference (BGC) recognizes the ordinance of baptism and the Lord's Supper. Other sacred actions, though not commanded of believers, are practiced in many churches. Because of the nature of Baptist polity (each church is autonomous and independent from any clerical or denominational hierarchy), the following is a description of the understanding and practice of ordinances and sacred actions in the worship renewal of one church in the denomination. The Nature of Ordinances Theologically, Baptists do not regard the rites of baptism and Communion sacramentally. We view these rites as ordinances given by our Lord to be observed and practiced on a regular basis. Therefore, God's presence in worship isn't any more or less present when these rites are observed. However, his presence in ownership is manifest in a special way in the gathering of two or three believers in the name of Jesus (Matthew 18:20). But in the past, this theological position…