Professing and Rehearsing Our Faith: The Meaning of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28: 18-20

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. —1 Corinthians 11:23-26

BAPTISM

What is Baptism?
Baptism was common in Jesus day. The New Testament, however, teaches us that Christian baptism is not like the kind of baptism popular in the first century. To the Jews, washing with water was a symbol of ceremonial cleansing. That is the kind of baptism we see when John the Baptist was calling people to repent. Their baptism was an expression of cleansing. Jesus repurposed baptism to show something much more profound.

Who should be Baptized?
Since baptism symbolizes our union with Christ and the spiritual transformation that comes through salvation, only those who have put their faith in Jesus as their Savior should be baptized. To put it another way, baptism is the outward expression of an inner change. It is the wedding ring—a visible symbol of an inward truth. If you have professed Christ as Savior, you should be baptized. It is the biblical way to make your profession public.

THE LORD’S SUPPER

What is the Lord’s Supper (Communion, Eucharist)?
The Lord’s Supper is an ongoing proclamation of Jesus’ death on the cross for those who have placed their faith in Him, His body broken, and His blood shed. The Supper was instituted as Jesus and the disciples celebrated the Passover on the night before He was crucified. The original purpose of the Passover helps us understand the purpose of the Lord’s Supper.

Who should take the Supper?
The Lord’s Supper is a public profession that you are a believer in Jesus. You cannot profess what is not yours. Like baptism, it is an outward symbol of an inward reality. If baptism is the wedding ring, the Supper is the anniversary. Because it is a perpetual memorial, all believers should observe the Supper as an ongoing, thankful declaration of their faith. See 1 Corinthians 11:26.