Is The Church Important? Ceremonies: Anchors of Faith and Love
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. - John 14:26
Life is full of ceremonies—weddings, graduations, retirements—moments that mark transitions, milestones, and deep commitments. God, who understands the human need for tangible reminders, gave His people two enduring ceremonies: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper (Communion). Both are sacred celebrations, instituted by Jesus and practiced by the early church, designed to keep our faith rooted and our hearts focused on Him until He returns.
Baptism
The word comes from the Greek baptizo, meaning “to plunge or immerse in water.” It is a public declaration that we belong to Jesus and an outward sign of the inner transformation He has worked in us. It’s part of the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
The early church took this seriously. Acts records multiple baptisms—new believers in Samaria (Acts 8:12), the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40)—each serving as a visible declaration of new life. Paul described it this way: “We died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead… we also may have new lives” (Romans 6:3-4).
In baptism, the old life is symbolically buried, and the believer rises from the water as a sign of spiritual rebirth. If you’ve accepted Christ but haven’t been baptized, Scripture makes it clear—it’s not optional. It’s both an act of obedience and a joyful celebration of belonging to Him.
ICommunion
The Lord’s Supper has deep roots. In the Old Testament, Passover commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt (Exodus 12). Each family sacrificed a lamb, applied its blood to the doorposts, and was spared from death. This event was celebrated every year with a special meal, marking God’s salvation.
On the night He was betrayed, Jesus transformed the Passover meal. Paul recounts in 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 how Jesus took bread and wine and gave them new meaning: the bread representing His body, broken for us; the cup representing His blood, sealing a new covenant.
Communion calls us to remember His sacrifice and examine our hearts. Just as the Jews swept their homes free of yeast (a symbol of sin), we are called to confess and repent before partaking. In doing so, we don’t just recall history—we encounter Jesus anew, receiving grace and renewing our covenant with Him.
Why These Ceremonies Matter
Baptism and Communion are not empty rituals. They serve as vivid, God-given anchors to our faith. Baptism proclaims to the world, “I follow Jesus.” Communion reassures our own hearts, “I am forgiven and sustained by Him.” Together, they remind us of Jesus’ love, unite us as His body, and keep our focus on His promised return.
Until that day, we will plunge beneath the waters of baptism, break the bread, drink the cup, and remember that He is faithful.
“26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
