Discussion Papers
From Barry Newman
 The Gospel that Paul proclaimed to the Gentile world carried with it a notion of freedom that was unheralded in the Gentile world.
Rites, regulations and ceremonies seemed to have played no essential part in the message of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ whom God had proclaimed Lord.
Yet most would claim that Jesus commanded believers be involved in two ceremonies - baptising those who repent and celebrating what could be called, “The Lord’s Supper”.
In July 2009, three addresses were given at Christ Church St Ives, Sydney dealing with these issues under the titles,
“Freedom”,
“Biblical Baptism” and
“Christ Centred Communion”. The addresses were accompanied by three papers with the same titles. The original papers have been revised.
Freedom
“Freedom” examines the nature and place of Mosaic Law, the nature of the Gospel, the work of the Spirit and Paul’s perspectives on circumcision, food laws and special day observance.
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Biblical Baptism
“Biblical Baptism” focuses on the usage of the verb “to baptise” in the ancient world and its usage in the New Testament. Special attention is given to a number of texts including Matthew 28: 19, 20. The contention is that after the resurrection Jesus did not command his disciples to baptise though the Acts of the Apostles records that they often did.
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Christ Centred Communion
“Christ Centred Communion” looks at the Last Passover Meal, New Testament references to meals shared by the early believers and the Early Fathers’ view of the Eucharist. Consideration is given to understanding certain texts in 1 Corinthians 10 and 11.
It is claimed that what is translated as “the Lord’s Supper” is not a title and that the Christians of the New Testament did not celebrate a rite reflective of the Last Passover Meal. It is further claimed that Jesus did not command his disciples to engage in any such rite, though any future celebration of a Passover meal by Jewish Christians would have to be celebrated differently than previously.
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