Baptism

“Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” 

Romans 6:4

The Greek word “baptizo” means “to immerse or dip under water”.  This baptism, as found in the New Testament, is immersion, and we follow this example of the first church. On the day of Pentecost, the people were commanded to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).   Thus, baptism is an act of obedience and an essential element of salvation.  It illustrates Christ’s burial and resurrection.  When we are baptized, we die to our sins, receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and rise to walk in newness of life in Christ.

The Lord’s Supper

“…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 took the cup also, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood: do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ ”

I Corinthians 11:24,25

Just as the early Christians met on the first day of the week to “break bread” (Acts 20:7), we meet around the Communion table each week to partake of the bread (which represents Christ’s body) and the fruit of the vine (which is symbolic of His blood).  Christ has asked us to do this in remembrance of Him (I Corinthians 11:24, 25).  It is at this time that we come in contact with the cleansing blood of Christ that gives us a perpetual forgiveness of sins and strength to live day by day.