What does the Bible say about Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and Church?

"And he [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence."

Lesson goal: To help believers understand their place in God's church today (servants of Christ and each other), and the meaning of water baptism (testimony of a changed life) and the Lord's Supper (show Christ's death is meaningful for us).

The Church: God's People on the Earth Today

Q1 What did Jesus say He would build?

Matthew 16:18

"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Q2 According to the first part of Acts 2:41, what two things had happened to the people before they were added to the church?

Acts 2:41

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

Q3 What is one very important thing Acts 1:8 tells us that people in a church are supposed to do?

Acts 1:8

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

Q4 Romans 15 tells us some simple things church people are supposed to do. What do these verses say we should do for each other if we are together in the same church?

Romans 15:7

"Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God."

Romans 15:14

"And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."

[Note: "Admonish" in Romans 15:14 refers to using Scripture to guide someone away from poor behavior toward better actions, having the benefit of its subject in primary view. The giver's requirement is to be controlled with goodness and Scripture-based knowledge.]

Romans 15:30

"Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."

Q5 In Ephesians 4, Paul tells us that when everyone in the church comes and takes their proper place in church people learn to do the what of the ministry?

Ephesians 4:12

"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."

Q6 Paul also writes that the church can increase and edify itself. This happens when people take the place God wants for them, and when people meet together because this is one way God shows His __ (last word of Ephesians 4:16).

Ephesians 4:16

"From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love."

Q7 God reminds us that we can be encouraged to love each other and do good things when we don't forsake doing what?

Hebrews 10:24-25

"24

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

Baptism: Part of our Witness for Christ

Q8 Matthew 28:19-20 tells us part of what we call the Great Commission, Christ's command to His followers to witness about Him and make more followers for Jesus. If you were going to tell someone what was important about Jesus, what would you say about Him?

Q9 Baptism is one of our first opportunities to witness about our faith in Christ. The first believers were reminded to witness about Christ to those they met. They also were baptized after trusting Christ. If you have questions about faith in Christ, click here to send an e-mail to Pastor Johnston so he can answer them. From the following verses, how do you see believers challenged to follow their faith?

Acts 1:8

Acts 8:36, 38-39

"36

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

38And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."

Q10 Baptism (being submerged in water and coming up again) pictures Christ's death and resurrection for us. What does Romans 6:4 tell us we should do if we have believed in Jesus?

Romans 6:4

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Q11 What did the people do that received the words about Jesus that Peter spoke in Acts 2:41?

Acts 2:41

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls."

Q12 How about those that heard Philip's message in Acts 8:12-13?

Acts 8:12-13

"12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done."

The Lord's Supper: Remembering the Lord's Death

Q13 What does 1 Corinthians 11:26 say we do when we join in the Lord's Supper?

1 Corinthians 11:26

"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."

Q14 What does the bread represent?

Matthew 26:26

"And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body."

Q15 What does the cup represent?

Matthew 26:27-28

"27

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Q16 What does the Bible tell us to do before we take the Lord's Supper?

1 Corinthians 11:28

"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup."

Why?

1 Corinthians 11:27, 30

"27

Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."

Q17 When did the early Christians described in Acts 20:7 gather together to take the Lord's Supper (breaking bread together)?

Acts 20:7

"And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight."

Contrasting Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Q18 What is the difference between what baptism and the Lord's Supper represent?

Baptism pictures:

People in the NT church who were baptized had first made what commitment:

The Lord's Supper represents:

Q19 If part of baptism's message is to show a total immersion in the teachings of Jesus, should non-believers be baptized?