Today, we return to our series focusing on what we believe as a church by talking about Water Baptism and Communion (also known as ordinances of the church.) In this post we are going to dive into Frequently asked questions on both topics, and what our church believes…
FAQs About Baptism
Definition of Baptism
The Scriptures command the ordinance of baptism by immersion. All who repent and believe in Christ as Savior and Lord are to be baptized. Thus they declare to the world that they have died with Christ and that they have been raised with Him to walk in the newness of life. Matthew 28:19 (ESV), Mark 16:16 (ESV), Acts 10:44-48 (ESV)
What is Baptism?
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus and allows them to celebrate this decision with you.
It is important to note that baptism doesn’t save a person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation. Remember the thief on the cross next to Jesus. Jesus told him that he would be with him in paradise. This was not based on baptism but on belief.
But catch what happened here. The thief went public about his belief in Jesus. He did it on the cross in front of people, including the people who were killing Jesus for claiming to be the Son of God.
What Does The Word Baptism Even Mean?
Our word Baptism goes from the Greek word Bap-Tis-Ma. And its definition? Submersion. Now, what happens when you submerge something? It is hidden. When we are baptized in Christ, we are submerged into the person of Christ. We are now hidden in Jesus. But there is more!!!
When we submerge something into another item, the item submerged begins to take on that which it is dipped into. For example, when you dye fabric, you are baptizing it. You submerge it into a dye, it is hidden, and when it becomes visible again, it has taken on a new look. This is why God asks us to be baptized. You are taking the next step of saying I want my faith to be public. I want to show others that I belong to Christ.
Ultimately, obedience to Jesus shows we believe in and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us (Acts 2:38-41)
Should You Baptize Children?
As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9). Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for their salvation and commitment to follow Him.
At The Shores Church, we wait until children are old enough to express their decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism. If your child has already asked Jesus into his life, explain what baptism is and what it means. Facilitate the conversation, but don’t dominate it.
We don’t push it because we know it is a symbolic moment of what God is doing in their heart. We want them to understand and do it for themselves, not others.
What’s The Difference Between Immersing, Sprinkling, And Other Ways Of Baptizing?
Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. Remember, the original word for baptism most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it… (Mark 1:9-11)
Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Being submerged underwater represents our death to sin and the old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life. Romans 6:3-5.
Do I Need To Be Baptized Again?
If you haven’t been baptized by immersion since you decided to follow Jesus, I want you to take the next step of being baptized.
Once you’ve taken that step, there’s no need to be baptized again. Sometimes people might choose to be baptized again because they walked away from their faith and want a visual representation of turning back to God. Or they traveled to Israel and were baptized in the Jordan like Jesus was.
But ultimately, once you have gone public with that declaration, there is no need to do it again.
Do I Need To Be Baptized To Be Saved?
We believe baptism is the first commandment to a new believer but is not a prerequisite for salvation.
Water alone doesn’t have the power to save, only faith in the person and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
But you have to ask yourself, how serious is my faith and trust in God if I won’t obey what He asks me to do…
FAQ’s About Communion
Definition of Communion
The Lord's Supper, consisting of the elements --bread and the fruit of the vine-- is the symbol expressing…
1) Our sharing of the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ
2) A memorial of his suffering and death
3) And a prophecy of His second coming is enjoined on all believers "till He comes!"
Where Did Communion Come From?
Jesus started the tradition of communion and instructed His followers to use bread and wine to remember the sacrifice He would make when He died for our sins on the cross. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26. Then look what Jesus says in John 6:48-51…
Jesus called Himself “the bread of life,” which means that he nourishes us, we survive because of Him, and He satisfies us when everything else leaves us empty.
The early Church celebrated Jesus by taking communion, sometimes every day. They saw that every time they gathered around a table to eat and drink, it was a chance to recognize Jesus and thank God for all He’s done.
Why Do Christians Do Communion?
It’s not about the bread and wine; it’s about the body and blood of Jesus. It’s not about the ritual or the method; it’s about listening to Jesus and doing what He says. Communion is not an obligation but a celebration.
Communion celebrates the Gospel: Jesus was broken for us so that he could fix us. Celebrating communion marks the story of Jesus, how He gave Himself completely to provide us with a better life, a new start, and a new relationship with God (1 Peter 3:18).
It’s not about a ritual to revere but a person to worship. Jesus is less concerned about the method of celebrating communion and more concerned that we celebrate it. But, as often as we remember Jesus, we should celebrate Jesus.
Communion is essential because it’s a command to remember. Jesus wants us to remember Him every time we taste the bread and the cup.
Even when we sit at the tables in our own homes, He is the one who provides all we need. He gives us the physical food we need to survive and the spiritual nourishment to keep taking our next steps with Him.
Want to study this topic more in-depth? Then join us In-Person this Sunday at 10:30 AM at The Shores Church!