How We Gather: Baptism & the Lord's Supper

As followers of Christ living under the New Covenant, we have been set free from the ceremonial requirements of the Old Testament law. Under Moses, Israel was given hundreds of commandments governing sacrifices, priestly duties, dietary restrictions, ceremonial cleansings, and religious festivals. These laws served a purpose in God's redemptive plan, but they were never intended to be the final destination.

Jesus declared, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Christ fulfilled everything the Law pointed toward. As believers, we now live under what Scripture calls the "law of Christ", or the law of love.

Romans 13:8-10 teaches that love fulfills the law because genuine love for God and neighbor naturally produces obedience. Since we are under a new covenant, an important question arises: What ordinances has Christ commanded His church to observe?

The answer is simple. The Lord has given His church two ordinances: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Both ordinances point us directly to Jesus Christ and His saving work. They are visible reminders of the gospel and powerful testimonies of what God has accomplished on behalf of His people.

The Lord's Supper: Remembering Christ's Sacrifice

The Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus on the night before His crucifixion. During the Passover meal, He took bread and a cup and gave them new meaning.

Paul records these words in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26:

"Do this in remembrance of me."

The Lord's Supper is a symbolic ordinance given to the church to remember Christ's sacrifice, proclaim His death, and strengthen believers in their faith. While Christians have differed throughout history regarding the nature of Christ's presence in the meal, Baptists have traditionally embraced the memorial view, understanding the bread and cup as symbols that point us to the reality of Christ's body and blood given for us.

Yet the Lord's Supper is far more than a mere ritual. It serves several important purposes. It reminds us of the historical truths of the gospel. It calls us to examine our hearts and repent of known sin. It strengthens our appreciation for God's grace and deepens our love for Christ. It also directs our eyes toward the future, reminding us that Jesus will return.

Every time the church gathers around the Lord's Table, we proclaim the gospel. We remember that our salvation was purchased at the cost of Christ's own life.

Who Should Participate?

The Lord's Supper is intended for those who belong to Christ through faith. Because the meal symbolizes participation in the benefits of Christ's death, it is reserved for born-again believers.

Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 11 that those who partake in an unworthy manner bring judgment upon themselves. For this reason, churches have historically "fenced the table," restricting participation from unbelievers and those under church discipline.

The goal is not exclusion for its own sake but reverence for what the ordinance represents. The Lord's Supper is a sacred reminder that Christ died to save sinners and unite His people.

Ultimately, we observe the Lord's Supper for two primary reasons: to remember what Jesus has done for us and to proclaim His death until He comes again.

Baptism: Identifying with Christ

The second ordinance Christ gave His church is baptism.

The word "baptize" literally means to immerse. In Scripture, baptism serves as a visible sign of cleansing, repentance, and identification with God's people. While ceremonial washings existed before the ministry of John the Baptist, Christian baptism takes on a deeper significance because of its connection to Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:3-5 teaches that baptism pictures our union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. As a believer is immersed beneath the water and raised again, the act visually portrays the gospel itself.

Baptism does not save anyone. Rather, it symbolizes what God has already accomplished through the work of the Holy Spirit.

What Does Baptism Represent?

First, baptism represents the work of Christ. It vividly displays His death, burial, and resurrection.

Second, baptism pictures our union with Him. Christ's death becomes our death to sin. His resurrection becomes our new life. Through faith, we are united to Him and share in the blessings of His redemption.

Third, baptism identifies us with God's new covenant people. Ephesians 4 reminds us that there is "one Lord, one faith, one baptism." Baptism publicly declares that we belong to Christ and have become part of His church.

It is a visible testimony before God's people and the watching world that our allegiance is no longer to ourselves but to Jesus Christ.

Who Should Be Baptized?

The central question surrounding baptism is what baptism signifies.

If baptism represents a changed heart, a new creation, and a life transformed by God's grace, then it follows that baptism should be reserved for those who have personally trusted in Christ.

Jesus taught that one must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. Therefore, baptism is an outward expression of an inward reality. It is the public declaration of a person who has already experienced spiritual rebirth through faith in Christ.

For this reason, Baptists have historically practiced believer's baptism, baptizing those who have personally repented of their sins and trusted in Jesus for salvation.

The Gospel on Display

The ordinances do not save us, but they faithfully proclaim the message that does. In Baptism and the Lord's Supper, the church visibly displays the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Lord's Supper reminds us of His sacrifice. Baptism reminds us of our union with Him.

Together, these ordinances help God's people remember, celebrate, and proclaim the saving work of Christ until the day He returns.