Baptism and Communion: Pointing Us To New Life In Jesus
Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings and funerals are all observances that remind us and commemorate something important that has happened. In Matthew 3:13–17; 28:19–20; 1 Corinthians 11:23–29 we see two important observances that Jesus ordained and commanded His disciples to do. They are baptism and communion. Both baptism and communion (the Lord’s Supper) were commanded by Jesus and remind us of the new life we have in Him. I pray that in your participation and observance of these two ordinances that you would be reminded of what Jesus has done for you! Amen
Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:13–17)
This passage noted the beginning of Jesus ministry. John the Baptist was baptizing people for repentance of their sins. When Jesus came to be baptized by him, John recognized the deity of Jesus, and he did not believe it was appropriate for Him to baptize the One who was free from all sin. Instead, John recognized his own sinfulness in the presence of Jesus and confessed that it was he that should be baptized by Jesus and not the other way around.
Jesus said that it was proper for Him to be baptized by John, in order to fulfill all righteousness. Although Jesus was without sin, and John’s baptism was meant for the repentance of sin, Jesus allowed himself to be baptized by John so that He might identify with the sins of those He came to save.
This passage confirms Jesus’ divinity by the presence of the Father and the Holy Spirit at the baptism of the Son. Thus the significance of the Holy Trinity being all together in one place at the start of Jesus’ ministry, is noted by the gospel writer Matthew.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20)
At the end of Jesus earthly ministry, He charged His disciples with their (our) mission. His disciples are charged to go into the mission field, to make disciples of all nations. In addition to teaching others to obey and follow Jesus, His disciples are to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. In this way, we model Jesus own baptism and identify with Him and with the Holy Trinity as Jesus identified with us. Finally, Jesus promised to be with His disciples in this mission until the end of the age.
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. (1 Corinthians 11:23–29)
The apostle Paul indoctrinated the church at Corinth to another ordinance we have received from the Lord. Holy Communion is modeled upon Jesus final Passover celebration with His disciples. On that night He was betrayed into the hands of those who had designs to kill Him. At His final Passover supper, Jesus blessed the bread and gave it to His disciples as a symbol of His body being broken. Then He offered the wine in establishing a new covenant and as a symbol of His blood that would be shed for the forgiveness of sins. He commanded that His disciples do these things in remembrance of Him and as a proclamation of His death until His second coming. Communion reminds us of the reality of Jesus’ death and the certainty of His return.
Paul admonished the church that believers are not to participate in this ordinance of Holy Communion in an unworthy manner. To do so was sinful, and would result in a believer bringing judgment on themselves. Believers should prepare themselves through introspection and confession before participating in Holy Communion (The Lord’s Supper).
Conclusion
Baptism and The Lord’s Supper (Holy Communion) were ordained and commanded by Jesus to His disciples. Thus, as His disciples today, we continue to do as the Lord commanded us. We baptize new believers into discipleship and a new identity in Christ Jesus. We observe the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of (1) the gruesome reality of His sacrificial death on the cross, (2) the covenant He has made with all believers of salvation through faith in Him and (3) the certainty of His return.
So the next time you witness a new believer being baptized, or participate in the Lord’s Supper, remember that we don’t do these things for show, tradition or because they are trendy or “hip”….. we do them because we have been commanded to do so by our Lord and Savior Jesus as a reminder of the new life we have in Him!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
