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Covenant Love Discipleship Lesson Six – SACRAMENTS OF THE KINGDOM by Jeff Tyler
According to the dictionary a sacrament is a formal religious act conferring a specific grace on those who receive it. In the Protestant Church world, the two main sacraments are Communion and Water Baptism. In the Catholic Church, there are seven. We want to study Communion and Water Baptism here right now. First, Baptism….
Scripture tells us many times to be baptized in water. Acts 2:38, Acts 10:48
The act of Holy Baptism is a wonderful symbol of washing away our sins and rising to new life forever in Christ. Even the Messiah Himself was baptized by John the Baptist. Matthew 3:13-16
Today, there is much controversy between churches and denominations on how to baptize. Some sprinkle, some submerge, and some even baptize babies. In the Biblical Days of the New Testament, the person wishing to be baptized was completely submerged under water, and straight down, not like we do it today with the person falling straight back. They seldom if ever sprinkled in those days. The Baptize, in fact, means to submerge by many definitions. Converts in the Early Church wanted to be completely submerged so that ALL their sins were washed away and to also say that God had all their heart and soul. Today, do not get caught up in how you are baptized, but it needs to be done. It should also be done when the person is mature, ready, and knows what they are doing. This is a holy event in one’s life and is to be taken very seriously.
In Scriptures, you should know that there are at least four different types of Baptism. This can cause confusion when studying God’s Word and especially Baptism.
There is Baptism in water, which is what we are mostly talking about right
now. All of these mean to completely consume or submerge. We encourage you to be baptized. I have heard and read testimonies of people in Europe and other places who did not have access to a church or water, and these people upon being saved were literally baptized in their bathtubs. The bottom line is BE BAPTIZED!
Now on to Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper or the Holy Eucharist.
Scriptures about Holy Communion can be found in Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:14-20, I Corinthians 11:23-26. Study these verses in context.
There is so much more to communion than we all know. It was commanded by the Lord, as a Holy Sacrament, and for many reasons.
It is truly being one with our Lord, as we partake of His Body and His
Blood. There is much religion concerning the Holy Communion. As a believer in Christ you are entitled to take it whenever and however you wish. The key is that your heart and attitudes are right. Churches and ministries offer communion, and some families take it weekly, monthly, or daily in their homes. When we pray LIVE on www.thenightwatch.com, we take it each evening.
Many miracles, especially healings of all kinds, are associated with Holy Communion. We encourage you to take it, and be blessed by it. God is doing a new thing in the Church concerning Holy Communion, and many ministries are now offering it 24/7. Don’t be bound up by it, but be FREE. After all, that’s what the Lord intended. Let there be no fear over communing with the Lord and the Body.
Steve Carpenter is an Apostolic Teacher that we fully endorse at Night Watch Ministries. He is a truly anointed authority on this topic. If you can get any of his tapes on Communion or hear him speak on this issue sometime, please do so. It will forever change your life.
If you have questions, e-mail Info@TheNightWatch.com.
If you need prayer, e-mail Prayer@TheNightWatch.com.
Interested in Samuel Jeanrenaud and possibly a Night Watch Team coming to your church, conference, or ministry organization and teaching on Discipleship? Click here.
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