February 8th, 2026: Baptism and the Lord's Supper | Matthew 2:13-17, 28:19-20, I Corinthians 11:23-29

Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:9-13). However, the bride of Christ, the church, was given by Jesus instructions to submit to baptism and to commemorate the Lord’s supper.  As believers, we yield ourselves to the will and example of Jesus and participate in both.  We are blessed by doing as Jesus instructed.  

Matthew 3: 13-17

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

According to Jewish tradition, baptism was a method for demonstrating repentance and to show a new beginning spiritually. It outwardly professed a turning away from sin. It was mostly used when a gentile decided to join the Jewish faith or for any Jewish person returning to a relationship with God. It is also important to remember, however, there were also ceremonial cleansings that priests performed involving the sprinkling of water.

 The word baptism actually means to immerse, to cover over, or to submerge in water. Most commentators and scholars believe that it was between 165-200 AD when the ritual of baptism by immersion was modified.  

Baptism is the outward sign of our inward change; it symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and our dying out to sin when accepting Christ as our savior.  We go into and under the water, representing our separation from our old life and Jesus’ death and burial. We rise up out of the water, representing our new life in Jesus in resurrection, power, and purpose. Paul said it like this: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:3-6).

The stamp of approval for Jesus’ baptism is the Spirit of God descending and the proclamation by God the Father. This is MY son, in whom I am well pleased.  God has never asked us to do anything that Christ did not submit to himself.  He is our perfect example.

Matthew 28: 19-20

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

These verses are often referred to as the Great Commission.  The verse prior reminds us that Jesus has the authority to send his followers on whatever duty He chooses. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18). He has all power. All authority. Jesus says go to All nations, in order that they could observe All things that Jesus had taught and commanded.  All seems to be a keyword in these verses.  All.  Not some. Not only the ones we like.  Not just the ones that seem good to us. ALL. Notice, He does not leave His followers alone.  He is always with them, whether they can see Him or not. Even to the end of the world. That promise is good for us also!

1 Corinthians 11: 23-29

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. 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. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

The verses here were written by Paul to the Corinthian church. Jesus instituted a new remembrance on the Passover before his crucifixion.  He gathered His 12 for what is now commonly called the Last Supper. Paul was not actually present at the Last Supper but He understood the significance and purpose.  

 Passover was instituted by God as part of the final plague on Egypt. Moses was instructed that every household should set apart a lamb. The lamb must not have any spot or blemish.  As death came to the firstborn of Egypt, those who obeyed God with their passover lamb would be saved. The passover lamb was a sacrifice, whose blood was placed on each home’s door posts, which protected those who believed. The meal, with shoes on their feet, their unleavened bread all reminded the people of Israel, of their deliverance from the bondage of Egypt.  They looked forward to a Messiah, the  King and Redeemer, the ultimate perfect sacrifice. The passover is remembered every year and is still a ritual in Jewish homes today. 

Jesus gave His body and blood as the perfect sacrifice.  He fulfilled God’s promise.  He’s the one promised in Genesis 3:15. The seed of a woman who crushes the head of the evil one.  The bread and the wine served by Jesus at the Last Supper represent Him.  All of Him. The bread He breaks signifies His sinless body - broken for all.  The wine He pours represents His sinless blood shed cruelly for the remission of sin. His commandment is to do this, partake of the bread and the wine,  “in remembrance of me.”  As the ancient ordinance of Passover represented the future required sacrifice, the Last Supper reminds the true church why we are here.  

Many refuse communion services because they feel unworthy to participate. They claim they are not good enough to receive and remember Jesus’ sacrifice. Knowing that you are unworthy is exactly what it means to participate worthily. We are not worthy, yet He loved us enough to be obedient to the Father and purchase our freedom.  It is when we skip through this service as if this were just another bit of food, of no real importance, that we take this meal to our damnation.  

Both the baptism and the Lord’s Supper are very significant rituals of remembrance for the church in 2026.  Sadly, many are walking away from the traditions of scripture. The Rock on which the church stands is Jesus.  Your Lord has called you to obey His word and follow in His example.  He’s earned the right to set the standard because He paid the penalty for our sin. We are commanded not only to remember, but we are also commissioned to share His good news. We,  like the prophets of old, must take action to tell others to look to Jesus and find life and hope.  Let us walk confidently in fellowship and obedience toward the Father, through His Son, guided by His Holy Spirit. 

Thank you for studying with us! God bless!