Baptism and the Lord's Supper are the two sacraments that Scripture actually commands us to engage in to celebrate the finished work of Jesus in his death and resurrection. There are other good traditions that various church movements have established to stir our hearts and fix our minds, but these two are essential.

The Lord's Supper (or Communion / the Eucharist) is something we do once per month in Sunday service, and it's something that I hope our life groups are doing together more and more regularly in their intimate settings.  

Baptism is the first act of obedience after we trust in Jesus. It's meant to be:

- an outward symbol of the inward transformation that has taken place through Jesus

- an outward symbol of our inclusion in Christ's body

- a public testimony to all those present of what Jesus has done in our individual life

- an opportunity for the Spirit to use our baptism to move in the hearts of those witnessing

In some countries, public baptism is incredibly risky. It could cost a person their life. They are understandably tempted to keep their faith private.

In our country, baptism is not risky. And yet many of us have become complacent about it. For a few reasons. 

For some of us, we see it as optional. We have essentially said, "Jesus I know you told me to get baptized after I trust in you, but I don't think I need to. I'll just follow you in all the other ways you tell me to. Unless, of course, I disagree with your commandments like I disagree with baptism." We have said no to something that others are risking their lives to say yes to.

Others of us are too focused on our lack of spiritual maturity. We claim to trust in Jesus' finished work, but we are holding off on public baptism until we "feel more ready." Jesus declared from the cross, "It Is Finished," and baptism is, in fact, a celebration that "IT. IS. FINISHED." He paid it all. And yet some of us are saying to Jesus, "I want to wait until I am ready because I want baptism to be a celebration that I did some of the work." If that's you, you actually may not be a Christian, in which case you should not get baptized. However, if your response to that last sentence is "Of course I'm a Christian!" then get baptized. Stop the naval-gazing.

And then others hold off on baptism because they are truly and sincerely confused about it. I would urge you to watch this video: 5 Basic Facts About Baptism. 

Bottom line, if you have not been baptized since trusting in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then get baptized. Our next one is on Saturday, September 2nd at a Picnic at Ocean County Park.

Don't rob us of the opportunity to celebrate what Jesus has done in your life.