How Sacraments Work

Connection Group Questions
November 14, 2010
“How Sacraments Works”

Take time to go over the church announcements and events.

Opening
Connections Community Church, as one part of the larger Protestant church tradition, upholds two sacraments: Baptism and Communion.  As “sacraments” we believe these to be sacred traditions, revealed to the church through the Scriptures, taught by Jesus Christ, and administered in the church.   While Jesus taught and commanded his followers many things, this much is clear- baptism and communion are to be practiced by the church.  Each sacrament serves as a “sign” and “seal” of an individual as a part of the visible church.  Each carries with it unique spiritual blessings in the life of the believer and the church.

In Baptism the believer and children of believers become participants in the life and ministry of the church.  In the Lord’s Supper, believers and their households are nourished in grace and faith.

Discussion:  
What do you believe regarding the sacraments?  
Did you grow up in a church that affirmed them, rejected them, or even had more of them (the Catholic Church has 7!)
What does it mean to be, or to make, “sacred”? To be set apart and made pure.
How do the sacraments work?  
When they are part of God’s work in us to make us holy and treasured persons, and people.

Baptism:
Connections affirms baptism as the most biblical and faithful public expression of new life in Jesus and participation in the church.  When an adult comes to faith in Jesus and desires to be a part of the church they should seek to be baptized in public worship at the earliest possible convenience.  Connections also affirms the longest standing tradition in the Christian churches of infant baptism.  Baptism is the sign Christ gave us to symbolize the forgiveness and cleansing He accomplishes in the lives of the people who trust and follow Him.  Baptism embodies many layers of meaning: laying down our life, dying to our “old” self, rising in Jesus, washed clean and pure, renewed and ready to follow Jesus the rest of our life.

Discuss the following:
Believer’s baptism- adults who profess repentance and faith in Jesus as Lord, either after a time of preparation, or in immediate response to repentance and belief. (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 8:36-40)
Infant baptism- claiming the promise of faith for a household and the children of Christ-followers. (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:38-41)
Children’s dedication-  As Jesus blessed the children that were brought to him, so we will bless or “dedicate” all children of believers who in good conscious can not embrace infant baptism. (Matthew 19:13-15)
Re-affirmation of the baptismal vows- for all persons who were baptized as infants, or as adults, who wish to publicly profess their faith in Jesus, we will re-affirm the baptismal vows.  This reaffirmation should proceed only after prayerful consideration and in the understand this is not a “re-baptism,” for we believe in “One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  (Ephesians 4:5-6)

Communion, or, The Lord’s Supper
The Lord's Supper was directly instituted by Jesus Christ as a continuing practice for the church during this era before the return of Jesus Christ and the consummation of the Kingdom of God. (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25). This has been the universal understanding and practice of Christian churches.

As a Sacrament, the Supper is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. It is a means by which true believers may spiritually grow and be nourished when received in faith and in the way God has specified in his covenant promises.  By partaking of the elements we come into union with Christ as a united covenant people. For this reason it is often called Communion.

Discuss the following:
Paul carefully instructed the church at Corinth about the right reception of the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11.  Christians are encouraged to participate, persons who do not openly confess Jesus as savior and Lord should not partake.

Discuss the three things that the sacraments work in our lives:
1.  The sacraments invite us to participate with our lives (a sign and a seal).
2.  The sacraments invite us into a “sacramental worldview.”
3. The sacraments work because of the sacrificial work of God.

The sacraments are meant to unify and empower Christians and the church.  In closing be sure to reaffirm the fact that Baptism and Communion are not things to divide over.  We can have different views on the details, if we are in agreement that we are saved only by God’s grace.

Don’t forget your E100 Challenge Readings this week!