The Sacraments in the Bible

The sacraments, often called ordinances, are the visible acts of worship that Jesus Christ personally commanded his church to observe: baptism and the Lord's Supper. They are not human inventions but signs instituted by the Lord himself, given to mark out his people and to proclaim the gospel in tangible form. After his resurrection, Jesus gave the church its 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). Baptism stands at the threshold of the Christian life as the appointed sign of belonging to the triune God. Baptism is rich with meaning. On the day of Pentecost Peter urged the crowd, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38), joining the washing of water to repentance and the gift of the Spirit. Paul deepens the picture, explaining that "we were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). Baptism dramatizes union with Christ in his death and resurrection, a public confession that the old life is buried and a new one has begun. The Lord's Supper, also called communion, was instituted on the night Jesus was betrayed. "Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body'" (Matthew 26:26). Paul records the same tradition he received from the Lord: "that the Lord Jesus on the night when 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'" (1 Corinthians 11:23-24). Over the cup Jesus added, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:25). Many churches describe the sacraments as outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace, seals that confirm God's promises to faith. Baptism is received once, marking entrance into the covenant community; the Supper is received often, sustaining believers as they remember Christ's death and look forward to his return. Both turn the eyes of the heart away from ourselves and toward the crucified and risen Savior, who gave his body and shed his blood for the forgiveness of sins. Devotionally, the sacraments are gifts of assurance. When doubt assails the conscience, the believer can recall the water of baptism and the bread and cup of the table as God's own pledges of grace. They are not bare symbols to be observed mechanically but living means by which the Lord draws near, strengthens faith, and binds his people together in one body until he comes.