Holy Baptism
The Bible teaches Christians about the importance of Holy Baptism. Matthew 3 explores the issue of baptism in details. The chapter encourages Christians to embrace this rite. John baptized Jesus Christ in order to show people the way. Christians should “be baptized in an attempt to see God’s kingdom” (Yancey, 2002, p. 49). This is the same “case when the heavens opened after John baptized Christ” (Welker, 2010, p. 9).
The Holy Spirit also descended to bless Jesus Christ. Matthew 28: 19-20 explains how Jesus Christ commanded his disciples to baptize all men in the name of God. Jesus encouraged all people to obey their God. Jesus also explained how he would remain with his people forever. The Book of Romans 6: 1-10 is a powerful text that explores the importance of baptism.
These verses give a comparison between Christ’s resurrection, burial, and death. The verses also explain why baptism remains a critical part of salvation. Colossians 2: 11-15 and 3: 1-17 gives useful verses about Baptism. The practice also makes Christians holy in Christ’s name. These verses also explain how Baptism becomes a guiding principle for all Christians.
Holy Communion
Another unique aspect of Christian worship is the Lord’s Supper. Several passages and verses in the Holy Bible support the practice. Matthew 26: 17-30 explains how “Jesus and his disciples celebrated the Passover on the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread” (Welker, 2010, p. 11). Jesus encouraged his followers to embrace the practice. The supper symbolized Christ’s body and blood.
Luke 24: 13-35 explains how Jesus revealed himself to his disciples after resurrection. Christ appeared to his disciples and took the bread. He blessed and distributed it to his disciples. He repeated the same act that characterized the Last Supper. The early believers viewed the Lord’s Supper as the best way to come closer to their creator. They wanted to worship God and repent (Corinthians 10: 14 and 11: 1).
The practice became the Holy Communion. The book of Corinthians 11: 17-34 identifies some of the problems and misuses associated with the Lord’s Supper. Some people “failed to wait for one another during the Holy Communion” (Welker, 2010, p. 19). Some people also despised God’s Church.
Some individuals humiliated their neighbors since they nothing to eat. Some individuals decided to celebrate without honoring Christ’s body. Acts 2: 42-47 explains how every Christian called the Last Supper “the Fellowship of Believers” (Yancey, 2002, p. 62).
The Lord’s Supper was a moment of remembrance. It encouraged believers to embrace new practices. It was the time to support the poor in the community. The Last Supper was a uniting factor that encouraged more people to enjoy God’s favor.
Why God Connects His Word of Grace with Water, Wine, and Bread
Christians equate water, oil, wine, and water to God’s teachings. These things are readily available. They make it easier for individuals to remember their God. It is also agreeable that God created man and gave him a physical body. Christ used physical substances such as oil, water, and bread to teach new ideas. This approach makes these things holy and symbolic (Yancey, 2002).
Believers should sanctify and bless such things in order to represent Christ’s body on earth. Such physical things play a major role towards passing the message of salvation to different believers. Every Christian should embrace such things because they support his or her faith. Such “physical objects remind mankind about Christ’s promises” (Yancey, 2002, p. 98).
Reference List
Welker, M. (2010). What Happens in Holy Communion? New York, NY: Eerdmans Publishing.
Yancey, P. (2002). What’s So Amazing About Grace. New York, NY: Zondervan.