“Loving others as yourself” means exerting yourself to the uttermost in helping people, sympathizing with them, comforting them, and loving other people just as one loves himself. 

The Lord Jesus said “Always treat others as you would like them to treat you” (Matthew 7:12). 

Many teachings in the Old Testament may be summed up in the words, “Love others as yourself”. The Bible says, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). 

It also says, “The whole Law is fulfilled in one word, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ ” (Galatians 5:13-14), and “The Law’s last word is love” (I Timothy 1:5).

Broadly speaking, all those who believe in the Lord are God’s possession, because they are all “bought with a price” (I Corinthians 6:20). 

Paul used the expression “all the saints” to denote all Christians (cf. II Corinthians 13:13). 

In another sense, however, saints should have the characteristics of sainthood (cf. Ephesians 5:3-11), and should be people with a deep love for the Lord, who love both God and man, and whose character expresses purity. 

This is what Paul implies when he uses the expression: “called to be saints”. 

In other words, God’s purpose in choosing us is that we should become saints. Each Christian must undertake strict discipline and strive to become more and more holy (cf. I Corinthians 1:2).

On the presupposition that there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God, where traditions are not uniform, there should be mutual respect, with uniformity neither demanded nor imposed on others.

 The Bible teaches:

(a) Do not engage in disputes over doubtful points.

(b) Do not despise or sit in judgment on one another.

(c) Accept one another, as Christ accepted us.

(d) Seek those things that make for peace and for mutual upbuilding, putting no obstacle or stumbling block in a brother’s path (cf. Romans 14:1-19, 15:7; Ephesians 4:1-6).

The most important ones are Christmas and Easter. 

Christmas takes place on December 25^th and commemorates the Lord’s birth. 

Easter takes place on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox, and it commemorates the Lord’s resurrection. Three days before Easter, which is a Friday, is Good Friday, which commemorates the Lord’s death on our behalf. 

Some Christians believe that the Lord’s birth, death and resurrection may be observed at any time so we do not need to celebrate them at any fixed time. 

The Old Testament commands that we observe the Sabbath, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8). This is generally observed on Sunday to commemorate the day of the Lord’s resurrection, but some believers still celebrate this on Saturday. 

(a)A person must receive it with faith.

(b)One must examine one’s self, and repent, if needed, before eating of the bread and drinking of the cup.

(c)One must discern that it is the Lord’s body, not an ordinary meal. One must not eat and drink judgment on one’s self. 

(d)One must receive it properly and take it seriously, accepting it with reverence, so as not to be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (cf. I Corinthians 11:27-34).

(a)Remembering the Lord’s death on our behalf.

(b)Reminding ourselves of the Lord’s life and receiving a supply of life from Him.

(c)Awaiting the Lord’s return.

(d)Manifesting the close relationship between Christians, in the same way that limbs are all part of one body.

(e)Doing as the Lord Himself did (cf. I Corinthians 10:16-17, 11:23-26; John 6:53-56; Acts 2:42-46).

(f)Following their own traditions, some brothers and sisters perform the “rite of humility” (washing feet) and, remembering the example of our Lord, they serve and forgive each other (cf. John 13:3-16).

The bread broken at Holy Communion (The Breaking of Bread or The Lord’s Supper) signifies the Lord’s body given for us. 

The cup of blessing signifies the new covenant which the Lord established through His blood (cf. Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20; I Corinthians 11:23-25).

The one who is to be baptized must have truly repented, trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord, and understands some basic doctrine (if possible, it is desirable that the person complete an enquirers’ class). His life should give evidence that he is born again. Then, after examination, he will be recognized as a suitable candidate (cf. Romans 6:2-4; I Peter 3:21).

The person who administers baptism should be someone who has been officially ordained by the church as a pastor or an elder.

For historical reasons, churches in various countries have all along had two forms, namely, “sprinkling” and “immersion”. 

Different local churches use either “sprinkling” or “immersion”, depending on their own tradition or the request of the candidate. 

A baptismal pool is often provided in the church or the meeting place for immersion to take place.

Baptism signifies that our old self has shared in the Lord’s death, has been buried with Him, and then has been raised to life with Christ and has become a new man. 

At the same time it is also a public declaration that one has resolved to be the Lord’s disciple, forsaking sin, surrendering to Christ, and living for the Lord (cf. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4).

The Church has two important ordinances: Baptism and Holy Communion (The Breaking of Bread, The Lord’s Supper). 

These two ceremonies or sacraments were instituted by Christ Himself, so that by means of visible material objects invisible spiritual grace may be manifested.