Category I: Sacraments (1 of 2)

Baptism and the Lord's Supper

What Are Sacraments?

The word "sacrament" doesn't appear in Scripture. It comes from the Latin sacramentum (a sacred oath or pledge). The church has historically used it to describe visible signs of invisible grace instituted by Christ.

Here's where Christians divide:

Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches recognize seven sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

Protestant churches (following the Reformation) recognize two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Why the difference? Protestants argue that only baptism and the Lord's Supper were explicitly instituted by Christ, commanded for all believers, and accompanied by a physical element as a visible sign.

This handbook focuses on the two sacraments that virtually all Christians recognize: baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Remember: We're in a spiritual war together. The Adversary loves when Christians divide over secondary issues. Let's maintain unity in essentials, liberty in non-essentials, and charity in all things.

1. BAPTISM: "Be Baptized"

The Explicit Command

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

— Matthew 28:19 (NET)

"Peter said to them, 'Repent, and each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

— Acts 2:38 (NET)

Baptism is not optional. Jesus commanded it. The apostles practiced it. The early church universally baptized converts.

If you're a believer and you haven't been baptized, you're in disobedience to a clear command of Christ.

What Christians Agree On

Nearly all Christian traditions agree that baptism is commanded by Christ, essential to Christian obedience, connected to discipleship, done in the name of the Trinity, and practiced by the early church universally (Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12, 38; 9:18; 10:48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5).

Where Christians Disagree: WHAT Does Baptism Mean?

This is where it gets complicated. Faithful, Bible-believing Christians hold different views on what baptism DOES and what it SIGNIFIES.

View 1: Baptism as Regeneration (Sacramental/Catholic/Lutheran) The belief: Baptism is the means by which you're born again. The water, combined with the Word and the Spirit, regenerates you. Key verses cited: John 3:5; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38. Who holds this: Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, some Anglicans.

View 2: Baptism as Covenant Sign (Reformed/Presbyterian) The belief: Baptism is the New Covenant equivalent of circumcision. It marks you as belonging to God's people. Key verses cited: Colossians 2:11–12; Acts 2:39; 1 Corinthians 7:14. Who holds this: Reformed/Presbyterian churches, some Anglicans.

View 3: Baptism as Public Profession (Baptist/Evangelical) The belief: Baptism is an outward sign of an inward reality that has already occurred. You're saved by grace through faith alone. Baptism is your public identification with Christ's death and resurrection. Key verses cited: Romans 6:3–4; Acts 8:36–37; Mark 16:16. Who holds this: Baptists, many evangelical and non-denominational churches.

View 4: Baptism as Adoption Into God's Family The belief: Baptism is the visible sign of your adoption as a child of God. Through faith in Christ, you're born again and adopted into God's family. Baptism publicly marks that adoption. Key verses: John 1:12–13; Galatians 3:26–27; Romans 8:15–17. The logic: Baptism is the ceremony that marks your entrance into God's family.

Where Christians Disagree: HOW Should Baptism Be Done?

Immersion (full submersion in water): Baptists, Churches of Christ, most evangelicals, Eastern Orthodox. The Greek word baptizō means "to immerse" or "to dip." Immersion best pictures burial and resurrection (Romans 6:4).

Pouring (water poured over the head): Many Presbyterians, some Anglicans. The early Didache allowed pouring when full immersion wasn't possible.

Sprinkling (water sprinkled on the head): Roman Catholics, some Anglicans, some Lutherans, some Presbyterians. Old Testament purification rituals involved sprinkling.

Scripture doesn't explicitly command a specific method.

If You Were Baptized as an Infant:

Some Christians believe infant baptism is valid. Others believe only believer's baptism is valid.

What to do: Study Scripture for yourself, talk to your pastor, pray for clarity, make a decision, and move forward.

What Baptism IS (What All Christians Should Affirm):

Regardless of your view, baptism is:

1. A command of Christ (Matthew 28:19) — obey it
2. Identification with Christ (Romans 6:3–4) — you're publicly declaring you belong to Him
3. Entrance into the visible church (Acts 2:41)
4. A one-time event (you don't get re-baptized every time you sin)
5. Connected to the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit — Matthew 28:19)

And what baptism signifies most clearly: Adoption into God's family.

"For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."

— Galatians 3:26–27 (NET)

Application This Week:

If unbaptized: Contact a church this week. Schedule your baptism. If baptized: Reflect on what your baptism means. You're a child of God. You bear His name. Live like it. If you have unbaptized children who profess faith: Talk to your pastor about baptizing them.

2. THE LORD'S SUPPER: "Do This in Remembrance of Me"

The Explicit Command

"Then he took bread, and after giving thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And in the same way he took the cup after they had eaten, saying, 'This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'"

— Luke 22:19–20 (NET)

"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, and after 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 also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

— 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 (NET)