Understanding the Significance of Baptism and Communion
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound significance of the two ordinances that we, as Protestant believers, hold dear: baptism and communion. These practices are not just rituals but are deeply rooted in the teachings of Christ and the early church. Baptism serves as the initiation into the body of Christ, symbolizing our entry into the family of God. Communion, on the other hand, is a continual reminder of Christ's sacrifice and our ongoing relationship with Him.
Reflecting on 1 Corinthians 11, we examined how the church in Corinth was failing in their practice of the Lord's Supper. They were treating it as a mere social gathering rather than a solemn proclamation of Christ's death. This misuse led to divisions and a lack of reverence for what communion truly represents. Paul reminds us that communion is a proclamation of the new covenant, a seal of our faith, and a declaration of Christ's death until He returns. It is evangelical, serving as a message to both believers and non-believers about the sacrifice of Jesus.
Moreover, communion is a time for personal examination. It is not the act of taking communion that cleanses us, but our faith in Jesus Christ. This sacred time offers us the opportunity to reflect, confess, and realign our hearts with God. We are reminded that our sins, past, present, and future, are forgiven through Christ's sacrifice. This understanding should lead us to approach communion with reverence and introspection, acknowledging the powerful work of Christ on the cross.
As we partake in communion, we do so with anticipation of Christ's return. It is a reminder that our faith is not just about the past or present but also about the future hope we have in Jesus. This anticipation should fill us with joy and a renewed commitment to live out our faith boldly.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Ordinances: Baptism and communion are foundational practices instituted by Christ. Baptism marks our entry into the Christian community, while communion is a continual reminder of Christ's sacrifice and our relationship with Him. These practices are deeply rooted in Scripture and are essential to our faith. [07:28]
- Communion as Proclamation: Communion is not just a ritual but a proclamation of the new covenant. It is a declaration of Christ's death and a reminder of His sacrifice for us. This act is evangelical, serving as a message to both believers and non-believers about the significance of Jesus' sacrifice. [11:29]
- Personal Examination: Communion offers a time for self-reflection and confession. It is not the act itself that cleanses us, but our faith in Jesus. This sacred time allows us to examine our hearts, confess our sins, and realign ourselves with God's will. [15:37]
- Anticipation of Christ's Return: As we partake in communion, we do so with the anticipation of Christ's return. This act is not only a remembrance of His death but also a celebration of the hope we have in His second coming. It reminds us that our faith is about the past, present, and future. [22:04]
- Approaching Communion with Reverence: The Corinthians failed by treating communion as a mere social event. We are called to approach it with reverence, understanding its significance as a seal of the new covenant and a proclamation of our faith. This understanding should lead us to a deeper appreciation and commitment to live out our faith. [26:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to the Ordinances
- [04:30] - Baptism: Entry into the Body of Christ
- [07:28] - Communion: A Proclamation of Christ's Death
- [09:45] - The Corinthian Church's Missteps
- [11:29] - Communion as the Seal of the New Covenant
- [13:50] - Evangelical Nature of Communion
- [15:37] - Anticipation of Christ's Return
- [18:00] - Personal Examination and Reflection
- [20:15] - The Power of Christ's Sacrifice
- [22:04] - Forgiveness and the Believer's Assurance
- [24:30] - Reverence in Communion
- [26:15] - Preparing for Communion
- [28:00] - Invitation to Communion
- [30:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
- Matthew 28:19-20
- Acts 2:38-41
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Observation Questions:
1. What issues did the Apostle Paul address regarding the Corinthian church's practice of the Lord's Supper? [07:28]
2. How does Paul describe the purpose of communion in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26? What are the key elements he emphasizes? [11:29]
3. According to the sermon, what were the consequences faced by the Corinthians for their improper approach to communion? [22:04]
4. How does the sermon describe the evangelical nature of communion? What message does it proclaim? [15:37]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the need for self-examination before partaking in communion? How does this practice benefit believers? [22:04]
2. In what ways does the new covenant, as described in the sermon, differ from the old Mosaic law? How does this impact our understanding of communion? [11:29]
3. How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence the way we approach communion, according to the sermon? [15:37]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of communion in proclaiming the gospel to both believers and non-believers? [15:37]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal approach to communion. How can you ensure that you are treating it as a proclamation of Christ's death and not just a ritual? [07:28]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of self-examination. What specific steps can you take to examine your heart and align yourself with the truth of the gospel before participating in communion? [22:04]
3. How can you incorporate the anticipation of Christ's return into your daily life and spiritual practices? What changes might this bring to your perspective on communion? [15:37]
4. Consider the evangelical nature of communion. How can you use this understanding to share the message of Christ's sacrifice with others in your community? [15:37]
5. The sermon highlights the new covenant established through Jesus' sacrifice. How does this understanding of forgiveness and righteousness through faith impact your relationship with God and others? [11:29]
6. Reflect on a time when you may have approached communion without proper reverence or introspection. What changes can you make to approach it with the seriousness it deserves? [22:04]
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to repent and seek God's help for transformation. How can the practice of communion support you in this journey? [26:15]
Devotional
Day 1: Baptism and Communion as Expressions of Faith
Baptism and communion are not merely rituals but profound expressions of faith and community within the Protestant tradition. Baptism signifies the believer's initiation into the body of Christ, symbolizing entry into the family of God. It is a public declaration of faith and a commitment to follow Jesus. Communion, on the other hand, is an ongoing act of remembrance and proclamation of Christ's sacrifice. It serves as a reminder of the new covenant established through Jesus' blood, a celebration of His love, and a call to live in unity with fellow believers. These ordinances, instituted by Christ and rooted in Scripture, are vital to the life of the church and the individual believer. [07:28]
"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:27-28, ESV)
Reflection: How can you more fully embrace the significance of your baptism and communion in your daily walk with Christ?
Day 2: The New Covenant of Grace
The new covenant, established through Jesus' sacrifice, supersedes the old Mosaic law and offers believers forgiveness and righteousness before God. This covenant is not based on human works but on faith in Christ. Communion is a time to remember this covenant, to proclaim the gospel, and to anticipate the return of our Savior. It is a reminder that our relationship with God is grounded in grace, not in our ability to adhere to the law. As we partake in communion, we are called to reflect on the depth of God's love and the assurance of our salvation through Christ. [11:29]
"For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (Hebrews 8:10, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you live out the reality of the new covenant in your interactions with others today?
Day 3: Communion as a Proclamation of Faith
Communion is not just a ritual but a profound declaration of faith. It is a seal of the new covenant, an evangelical proclamation of Christ's death, and an anticipation of His return. As believers partake in communion, they are reminded of the gospel's power and their role in sharing it with others. This act of remembrance calls Christians to live out their faith boldly and to proclaim the message of salvation to the world. Communion is a time to reflect on the transformative power of the gospel and to renew one's commitment to the mission of Christ. [15:37]
"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use the act of communion as an opportunity to share the gospel with someone in your life this week?
Day 4: The Importance of Self-Examination
Communion offers believers an opportunity for self-examination, a chance to reflect on their relationship with God and to confess their sins. It is a time to align oneself with the truth of the gospel, knowing that forgiveness is secured through Christ's sacrifice. This practice encourages believers to approach the Lord's Table with reverence and introspection, examining their hearts and seeking to live in accordance with God's will. Self-examination during communion is a vital aspect of spiritual growth and maturity, fostering a deeper understanding of one's faith and a closer walk with God. [22:04]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: What specific areas of your life do you need to bring before God in confession and seek His guidance for change?
Day 5: Anticipating Christ's Return
As believers partake in communion, they are reminded of the anticipation of Christ's return. It is not just a remembrance of His death but a celebration of His resurrection and the hope of His second coming. This anticipation shapes the faith and lives of Christians as they look forward to the fulfillment of God's promises. Communion is a time to renew one's hope in the return of Christ and to live in light of eternity, allowing this hope to influence daily decisions and actions. [26:15]
"Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into." (Matthew 24:42-43, ESV)
Reflection: How does the anticipation of Christ's return influence your priorities and actions today?
Quotes
I hope you have one of those as we dig into God's Word week in and week out here at Village Bible Church. My name is Steve Lombardo. I'm one of the pastors here. I'm so glad that you're at church this morning to hear God's Word. If this is your first time here, welcome. We're happy that you're here. If you could scan the QR code in the back of the bulletin, we'd love to know that you're here. And also, if you've been here 500 times, if you could check in, as Becca said, that would be great. [00:02:58] (24 seconds)
Thanks for being at church. And I'm going to just warn you, today's going to be a little bit different message, and it's going to be hopefully a challenging one as we're going to end together by taking communion in a different way than we normally do. And so just giving you a heads up on that. I grew up in the church, and my dad is a pastor. My grandpa was a pastor. My great-grandfather was a pastor, and so I had no choice but to be a pastor. [00:28:28] (30 seconds)
And for us, as Protestant believers and Christians, we believe in two ordinances or two sacraments, and that is the ordinance of baptism and the ordinance of communion. And one, baptism is the initiation into the body of Christ, into a believing church, into the family of God. You signify that by being baptized. And then communion is the ongoing remembering of how you became a Christian, how you joined the church. [00:02:54] (31 seconds)
So, here's the big idea. The church in Corinth was failing when it came to the practice of the Lord's supper. Look at verse 17 of 1 Corinthians chapter 11. But in the following instructions, I do not commend you, because when you come together, it is not for the better, but it's for the worse. Now, all throughout this letter, the apostle Paul has been kind of careful to, on the one hand, commend them, and then on the other hand, challenge them. [00:06:07] (27 seconds)
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night that he was betrayed took bread. 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. In the same way, he also 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. [00:10:53] (21 seconds)
You're preaching a message for people who have gathered with us who aren't believers, and you're going to say to them, Jesus died for me. Jesus died in my place. Jesus has died for you too. You can receive it by faith. And that's the message that you preach when you come to communion. It's to be evangelical. Now most people that gather in God's house are believers, are Christians, but no doubt not everybody is. [00:15:04] (24 seconds)
And so we are to take communion with this sense of anticipation of our Lord returning. You know, that's what the Christian faith teaches. It doesn't just teach that you come to believe in Jesus and you have faith so that you'll die and one day go to heaven off in space somewhere. No, the full teaching of the Bible is, yeah, when you die right now in Christ, you go to be in the presence of the Lord, but the Lord Jesus is coming back here to supernaturally transform this place into his kingdom. [00:16:52] (27 seconds)
Whoever therefore eats the bread or drinks of the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself then and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill and some have died. [00:17:56] (21 seconds)
Communion is a time of self-examination. Let me just say this just to clarify something. Communion doesn't give you the forgiveness of sin. That act that you participate in does not give you the forgiveness of sins. We know that we're saved by God's grace through, help me out, faith. It's not of works so that no one can boast. So don't think when you take communion that you get clean because you take communion. [00:18:45] (28 seconds)
Dear Jesus, please forgive me for my sin. Amen, amen. Amen, amen. So I didn't know which one was correct, the right way to say it. So I wanted to make sure to say both of them to cover me before God to make sure God heard my prayers and my dad saw a little 6 year old taking 5 steps and praying, taking 5 steps and praying and I don't, I was a filthy sinner I guess. [00:20:11] (21 seconds)
Can I just say this? For a genuine believer who even in the most depressed part of life who would resort to a horrific, terrible thing like murder and take their own life for the genuine believer, can I tell you that the blood of Jesus forgives that sin? This is how powerful what Christ has done for us and this is what we celebrate when we take the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ and worship him as we receive it. [00:22:11] (34 seconds)
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