The Sacrament of Growth

By Thomas G. Lane

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     Christ authorized two sacraments for use by his church: baptism and communion. Each of these is an outward sign of inner convictions on the part of those who participate in them, and each has a unique, divinely-appointed function in the life of the believer.

     Baptism is administered only once to any particular person. It illustrates the Lord's death, burial and resurrection, in a most vivid manner. Through baptism the repentant sinner identifies himself with these events and adopts their saving power (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12). Baptism also has a special meaning in that it portrays the forgiveness of sins which is made available because of the events which it symbolizes, and in baptism a person actually receives this forgiveness. Thus we may say to the unbaptized believer as Ananias said to Saul, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16).

     The other sacrament, the communion, also symbolizes the events surrounding the atoning death of Christ. The wine and the bread are appropriate representations of the body and the blood of our Savior which purchased our redemption. In speaking of the fruit of the vine at the Last Supper, Jesus gave it this significance: "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many" (Mark 14:24). Of the bread he explained: "This is my body which is given for you" (Luke 22:19). Thus, at his hand did these common elements of human nourishment, the wine and the unleavened bread, acquire a timeless significance as representations of the redemption from the condemnation of sin, a redemption attained for us by the very blood and body of the Lamb of God.

     We who figuratively drink the blood and eat the body of Christ receive eternal life from Him, as He said, "Whoso eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:54). When we receive the emblems of the bread and wine we memorialize his death and resurrection and reaffirm our trust in him, being reminded to eat "the bread of life" which is his word and doctrine.

     But beyond this symbolism, the Lord's Supper contains a significance which is not found in the sacrament of baptism, for it is a proclamation of the Lord's promised return. As the apostle Paul expressed this thought in his discourse in the first Corinthian epistle: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he comes." Baptism symbolizes the events of the atonement--the death, burial and resurrection of the Lamb--and makes the grace obtained for us by these events available unto us.

     Thus, baptism may be administered only once to any individual for the forgiveness of sins. The Lord's Supper also symbolizes the atonement, but beyond that it calls us to remembrance of our Lord's imminent return in glory, an event which is the Christian's great hope and expectation. It is thus appropriate that the communion be made available frequently as an instrument of Christian

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worship, that it may effectively cause us to grow spiritually by our reflection upon these events.

     We can see, then, that baptism is the sacrament of initiation into Christ, while the communion is the sacrament of growth that causes us to realize and experience the fact that, although we should be esteemed as less than nothing in the sight of God because of our intrinsic sinfulness, he regards us as important and valuable because of his everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3), a love so great that it compelled him to sacrifice his Son for the removal of those sins which would have otherwise perpetually alienated us from himself.

     The Lord's Supper is the sacrament of growth, then, inasmuch as it moves us to consider the marvels of grace and to resolve to apply these in our own lives. It motivates us to introspection (1 Corinthians 11:27-32) and makes us question ourselves as to how well we compare with the example of the Christ whom we venerate in this sacramental act? And we receive from God the absolution purchased by the events symbolized in the communion.

     So let us who through baptism have become partakers of the divinity of Christ partake of his holy Supper in remembrance of the marvelous mysteries of the way in which he attained for us that divinity, and in joyous expectation of his second coming. Let us confirm our faith in him as we worship him in the sacrament of growth which he has so wisely set forth for our benefit.

     If you would like to write the author about the above, you may address him at 200 La Salle Court, Box 173, New Orleans, Louisiana 70118.