Part of the church's distinction from other organizations is that it often publicly fulfills two main functions called "ordinances": water baptism and the Lord's Supper.  (These are called "ordinances" because Christ ordained, or instructed, the church to perform them.  These ordinances symbolize and remind believers of their relationship with Christ.)

Water baptism is the first obedient step for all new believers.  (See Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38, 41; 8:36, 38; 10:48; 22:16.)  And Christians receive baptism only once because water baptism represents initiation into a relationship with Christ and the local church.