Baptism and the Lord's Supper

These are 2 symbolic acts or "sacraments" commanded by Christ : of perpetual obligation : outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual graces

• Baptism
  • Baptism is commanded of every convert as long as the Gospel is preached (Matt 28 vs 19-20), and is not set aside by Spirit-baptism (Acts 10 vs 44-48).
  • The subjects of baptism are to be believers.
    • Our Lord's command;, and all the examples in the acts, demonstrate this clearly, and show that it is to be an immediate act;
    • Household baptisms (Acts 16 vs 32-34, 16 vs 15, 40, 1 Cor 1:16, 16:15) do not disprove believers' baptism, but rather confirm it.
      Infant baptism is absent from the New Testament. where is no Command to do it; no example of it;. and no passage implying it (not even 1 Cor 7 vs 14)
    • baptism has NOT come in the place of circumcision ( see Galatians, Acts 15, 16 vs 3, Col 2 vs 11-12)
    • the administration of the covenant sign has ALWAYS depended on the limits set by the command of God, and has NEVER been co-extensive with those in the covenant.
  • The mode of baptism is immersion. This is the clear meaning of the Greek word "baptizo", it is the mode used in the New Testament (Matt 3 vs 13-17, John 3 vs 22-23, 4:1-2, Acts 8 vs 38-39), no other mode can symbolise what baptism is intended to symbolise - (Rom 6 vs 4-5, Col 2 vs 12), and there was no significant departure from this mode for 1300 years of Church history.
  • The meaning of baptism is union with Christ.
    • This is plainly set forth in Romans 6 vs 1-11, Col 2 vs 9-15, Baptism is thus the divinely-ordained badge of discipleship, and the visible sign of entry into Christ,' a Church. It is ;therefore- practised but once
• The Lord's Supper
  • The Lord's Supper is known by many names such as the Lord's table (1 Cor 10 vs 21); breaking of bread (Acts 2 vs 42, 20 vs 7); and the Eucharist or thanks giving (1 Cor 10 vs l6, see Matt 26 vs 27). The word communion springs from 1 Cor l0 vs 16.
  • Its chief marks are simplicity and solemnity
    • Elements are distributed : the Lord is not physically present, except at the first supper : no miracle takes place - see the accounts of institution - Matt 26 vs 26-29, Mark 14 vs 22-25, Luke 22 vs 17-20, 1 Cor 11 vs 23-26.
    • The only eating and drinking is in a spiritual manner.
    • Transubstantiation and consubstantiation are errors, for both imply that we partake of Christ "after a corporal and carnal manner This teaching is ruled out by examining the original institution, and also by the New Testament's teaching on "worthy receiving"
  • We must come in a fitting frame of mind and heart.
    • If we do not we will be judged (1 Cor 11 vs 29-30), so we must examine ourselves to ensure that we are aware of the full import of what we are doing :-
      • enacting a living memorial to Christ's Person and work: to His saving mercy. Matt 26 vs 26-29, 1 Cor 11 vs 24-25.
      • proclaiming the Lord's death. 1 Cor 11 vs 26.
      • discerning the Lord's body - that is, symbolising a death different from every other death. 1 Cor 11 vs 29.
      • coming to Him, communing with Him and considering what benefits are secured for us by His body and blood. 1 Cor l0 vs 16-17
      • anticipating His return and the final glories. 1 Cor 11- vs 26, Mark l4 vs 25, Luke 22 vs 14-18.
      • and therefore joining in thanksgiving. 1 Cor 10 vs 16, 11 vs 24-25.
  • There are 2 points of which we must not lose sight.
    • Worthy eating is demanded; but the table is for sinners saved by Christ's atonement, and sense of unworthiness should not keep us away Ps 51 vs 17, Luke l8 vs l0-13.
    • Such eating and drinking is to be an integral part of our Christian lives within the local church - as we saw last week. When we come Scripturally, we partake of Christ by faith, and are thus greatly strengthened and helped. 1 Cor 10 vs l6.