Celebrations

Events like communion, baptism, baby dedication, and church partnership (membership) happen in the life of a church on a regular basis. There are scriptural basis for each one of these celebrations as well as unique fallacies that go with each one too. Let’s explore each one in further detail.

Communion- (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22;   14-20,) The basis for this celebration was initiated in the scriptures. The Last Supper was meal Jesus had with his disciples before His scourging and crucifixion.

The meal consisted of taking bread and wine. Today, this translates in most churches to a dry, tasteless wafer and a “shot glass” full of grape juice (no wine). The words Christ spoke in the Bible are what most pastors’ use for this ceremony.

Communion commemorates Jesus’ death on the cross, and is open to all believers at a church. Church membership is not a requirement. It is imperative that any known sin be confessed before partaking in communion (I Corinthians 11:27).

From reading the above passages, I can see how some religions could embrace in the practice of transubstantiation. That means the wafer becomes Christ’s flesh and the wine becomes His blood. If this were true, every time you partake in communion would make you a cannibal. Don’t worry none of that is happening. The bread and wine stay as they are.

Baptism – (Matthew 3:13-16, Mark 1:9-10, Luke 3:21) Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. He was immersed in the water not sprinkled (as some beliefs teach). One requirement for baptism is that it proceeds salvation (Acts 8:35-36).

It’s also important that the individual willingly choose baptism understanding completely what’s being done. Infant baptism (christening) allows no choice by the individual. All the sprinkling is makes the baby wet and angry. I’ve never read in the scriptures of an infant being baptized.

Baby Dedication – (Luke 2:25-33) With Mary and Joseph present, Simeon dedicates the baby Jesus in the temple at Jerusalem. Church infant dedications in places of worship are relatively short today.

Each set of parents and baby are recognized by name. A prayer to God is offered up to the parents in raising the child in a godly manner. The special service concludes with each child getting a tiny Bible (usually in white).  This is a great way to put God at the beginning of a child’s formative years.

Church Partnership (Membership)- In biblical times, churches were held in homes (I Corinthians 16:19) as they can be today. In addition to a permanent house of worship being built somewhere, a temporary (to be set up and torn down each Sunday) can be done in a place like a gymnasium, a school building, or in the conference room of a hotel.

To summarize Matthew 18:20, It only takes three people meeting together in Jesus’ name for Him to be there. Becoming a partner at a church is like being part of an exclusive club. You end building relationships with this community that can become close as family. The church you attend is also a great place to give to financially. See your dollars at work.

The purpose of this article was to shed light on these church subjects. Hopefully, I’ve done that. Never forget just how much God loves you. He can speak to you at any time in your life, or anywhere in the world. He would love to meet you at His house in the near future.