WATER BAPTISM AND THE HOLY COMMUNION
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he
There are those who ask if it is right to partake of the Holy Communion when you’re not water-baptized. First, in Christianity, we have sacraments like the Holy Communion and Water Baptism. In Mark 16:15-16, the Lord Jesus charged the disciples to spread the Gospel to every corner of the earth and to every person, emphasizing the importance of Water Baptism: “He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). In Matthew 28:19, He said, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
Then, in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Paul shares an important revelation he received from the Lord. He recounts the events of the night the Lord Jesus was betrayed, highlighting the profound significance of the Holy Communion. In consequence, Water Baptism and the Holy Communion are not dependent on each other; you can partake in the Holy Communion even if you’ve not been baptized in water. The Bible doesn’t stipulate that you can only take the Holy Communion if you’ve been baptized in water.
However, in many churches, the Communion is often reserved for those who are baptized members. There’s nothing wrong with this practice. The reason many follow this guideline is that baptism is viewed as a sign of one’s full belief and commitment to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It signifies a complete acceptance of the Gospel.
In the Early Church, during the great persecution, if individuals were asked about their faith and they denied it, their baptism was used as evidence of their true commitment to Christ, often leading to their persecution.
Churches typically do not baptize non-believers. This is why many churches believe that true Christians should be baptized and therefore may only serve Communion to those who have been baptized. The practice is commendable and aligns with the church’s desire to honour the significance of baptism in the Christian faith.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I recognize the significance of the Holy Communion and Water Baptism as symbols of my faith and commitment to you. Every opportunity to partake in the Holy Communion is my declaration of my victory over Satan, the world and its elements; a declaration that the Lord Jesus bequeathed His wealth, rights, and privileges to me, a will which is now in force. I have eternal victory and dominion over sin, sickness, disease, death and the devil, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:41-42, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Hebrews 3, Jeremiah 38-40
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Peter 2:1-12, Ezekiel 34
