Ephesians 5:25,32). So we think of the church as the Bride of Christ. Jesus commanded that the church observe two ordinances—baptism and communion. Those who place their faith in Christ should be baptized by immersion. Believers should be baptized soon after they profess faith in Jesus. For more information on baptism, see Worship through Baptism in the training module entitled Pastoral Ministry Communion or Holy Communion has been interpreted three ways the Roman Catholic teaching of transubstantiation, the Lutheran teaching of consubstantiation, and the Reformed teaching of symbolic commemoration. The Roman Church holds that the elements (bread and cup) are literally transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ, and as a sacrament, have the intrinsic value of receiving Christ. The Lutheran doctrine of consubstantiation says that the elements do not change into the body and blood of Christ rather, the presence of Christ is in, under, and with the elements. We adhere to symbolic commemoration—believing that the elements are symbolic of the body and blood of Christ, and that communion is observed as a memorial to Christ’s death. When Jesus referred to the elements as his body and blood, he was using this as a metaphor for his Spirit and his words (see John 6:51-56,61-63). When we take the bread and cup, we are not literally taking the body and blood of Christ, for the flesh counts for nothing (John 6:63). Instead, we believe in the words of Christ, and are saved because of his Holy Spirit living within us. For more information on communion, see Worship through Communion in the training module entitled Pastoral Ministry The church was established when the Holy Spirit indwelled believers on the Day of Pentecost (see Acts 2:1-4). The Acts of the Apostles gives a history of the church during the first century. Church doctrine is largely based on the Epistles of Paul. The foundation of the church is Christ (see 1 Cor. 3:11). Peter was a leader in the first church, but the church is built on Christ, not on Peter. Let us examine the wording of a key verse related to the leadership of the church. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of
