in Christ and are used by the Spirit to confirm and deepen our faith. They publicly bind believers together as one church (1 Cor. 10:17; Eph. 4:5). Living, vital membership in Christ’s church obliges us to publicly receive holy baptism and partake of the Lord’s Supper, trusting that, as Christ’s ordinances, they are means by which he strengthens faith in our hearts and lives. In John 14:15, Jesus says, ‘If ye love me, keep my commandments.’ He later adds: ‘He that hath
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