Devoted - Baptism & Communion
Acts 2:42-47
Matthias Haeusel
Part of Devoted—Acts 2:42
January 20, 2025

BAPTISM & COMMUNION

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. —Acts 2:42-47

Biblical Teaching - The Apostles teaching
Breaking of Bread - Communion
Temple Courts - Worship in Corporate Gatherings
House to House - Community in smaller groups
They distributed to all as they had need - Generosity

Obeying Jesus Commandments:

  • John 8:31
  • John 15:14
  • Matthew 7:24

Ordinances of the Church

Ordinances vs Sacraments

Sacraments are conveying the grace of God regardless of the faith of the person participating in the sacred rite.
Ordinances are symbolic acts ordained and commanded by Jesus.

  • Baptism
  • Communion

Baptism

What is it?

  • First Step of Obedience for a believer
  • Declaration of Faith, loyalty and allegiance to Jesus
  • Symbolism - Identification with Jesus and new life in Jesus

Who is it for?

  • Baptism is for all Christians.
  • If you believe in Jesus you should be baptized.
  • The biblical precedent is ‘believe and be baptized’
    • Acts 2:38-41
    • Acts 8:12
    • Acts 22:16
    • Acts 10:44-48
    • Acts 16:14-15
    • Acts 16:30-33
    • Acts 18:8
    • Acts 19:2-5

How is it to be done?
Full Immersion

  • Baptize - the word means to dunk, to dip, to immerse to submerge
  • Biblical Evidence - the scriptural example seems to suggest full immersion.
    • John was baptizing “in the Jordan” Mk. 1:5
    • John baptized “at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there” John 3:23
    • Jesus “came up out of the water” Mark 1:10

  • The Symbol it conveys: buried with Christ - raised to new life

    • Galatians 3:27
    • Romans 6:3-6

  • Luther / Calvin / Wesley / Catholic Church all agree that the biblical precedent is full immersion in water.

Issues concerning Baptism:
Does it save? No!

  • Romans 3:28
  • Romans 5:1
  • Romans 4:5
  • Ephesians 2:8-10
  • John 3:16
  • Mark 16:16

What about infant baptism?

  • There is no biblical example of babies being baptized.
  • Babies do not have faith which is the biblical precedent.
  • How about the household model? There is no evidence that the household included babies.
  • How about the theory that baptism replaced circumcision?
    • Circumcision was only for boys - baptism is for men and women
    • Circumcision was a seal of the covenant - Baptism is also a sign
    • Circumcision followed faith and did not precede it. So faith should precede baptism not follow it.

So if you are a Christian and have not yet been baptized, we invite you to make this public declaration as a sign of your obedience and a public prolamation of your loyalty and allegiance to King Jesus!

Communion

  • Instituted by Jesus
    • Mark 14:22-25
    • Luke 22:14-20
    • Matthew 26:26-28

  • Commanded by Jesus
  • Points to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus
  • It’s purpose is for remembrance and celebration

    • 1 Corinthians 10:16 ff.

  • For communing with God and self-reflection

    • 1 Corinthians 11:23-30

  • Various Views

    • Catholic: Transsubstantiation
    • Lutheran: Consubstantiation
    • Calvin: Purely Symbolic
    • Zwingli: A Symbol with a real spiritual presence

  • The Meaning of Communion

    • Christ’s Death: His broken body and shed blood
    • Our Participation: Take and eat!
    • Spiritual Nourishment: John 6:53-57
    • Unity of Believers: 1 Corinthians 10:17
    • Tangible reminder of Jesus’ love for me
    • An Affirmation that all His blessings are reserved for me: I will not eat it until I eat it in the kingdom
    • I am affirming my faith in Jesus: I need you! I trust you!

Take and eat! If you are a person who loves, follows, and obeys the Lord Jesus, this is for you!

If you are not yet a Christian, now is the time to put your trust in Jesus and take communion for the first time as a Christian!