Baptism, Communion, and the Church

The true foundations of the Christian faith are baptism, communion and the church. Hebrews 6 calls us beyond the basic elementary teachings and doctrines and towards a greater understanding of these things. The man of God Pastor Chris reminds us that we must grow deeper than the foundational teachings, but we must never disregard them. We read of things that we must be taught how, why, and when to do things. In all things that we are called to, we are accountable for what we do and what we allow in our lives.

Matthew 28:19-20

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”

While there are many avenues for cleansing, baptism, as the Lord has instructed it, is all done in one name. We who have been saved are to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Elohim is the plurality of God. In the powerful words of Pastor Chris, “The totality of divinity resides in Jesus Christ.”

Did you know the Greek word for Baptism is Baptizo and translates literally to mean “immerse”? Before John the Baptist began his ministry, full immersion into the water was not a part of ceremonial baptism, but rather a more minimal spot cleansing. Jesus knew John was the only one to baptize him! Baptism takes place as a confirmation of your faith and represents the newness of life. Pastor Chris tells us in this message that baptism is the outward sign of our salvation. When we are baptized, we are done with the worldly way forever.

Pastor Chris is brought to excitement when reading Mark 16, where the scriptures say to proclaim the gospel to every creature. If something you need is not working properly, believe in the name of Jesus that all function will be restored. When we pray over our food, that it will bless us and nourish our bodies, we are proclaiming Christ’s power and resurrection over it! What an honor it is to be in communion with such great authority.

1 Corinthians 11:25-28

“After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

The taking part of communion is God’s new will for us. According to Pastor Chris, taking part in communion is the testimony of your identification with His body and His blood. When we drink from the cup, we do it in remembrance of Him and we do it reverently. May we be purified and renewed, as the remission of sin is done by his blood, so God can declare us as righteous!

As the Church, we should always ask ourselves, what are we doing here, and what are we doing it for? In John 21, Jesus says to Simon Peter that if he truly loves him, to tend and feed his sheep and lambs.

Pastor Chris also shares the scripture from Ephesians 4:11-12 that states, “And He gave some apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ”.

Every new believer that enters the Kingdom of God is another stone that builds up the church. As Pastor Chris says, “every time you bring a soul, you are like that guy that is carrying another block for the building”. The man of God, Pastor Chris challenges us, as members of God’s house, to discern the body of Christ and to help build it up. It should be our desire to see the power and glory of Jesus Christ manifested in our lives and the lives of our those around us.