The Church

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper have been instituted by Jesus Christ and have His command ^[420], the necessary external witness ^[421] about our union with Christ in His death and resurrection ^[422] and of our belonging to His body which is the Church ^[423]. Although these signs are not a vehicle for grace, their value is obvious. If we perform them by faith, God grants us really through His Holy Spirit, the promised blessings linked to them ^[424].

Immersion baptism ^[425] in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ^[426] follows repentance and conversion ^[427]. It does not effect the purification of our sins but demonstrates it ^[428]. It witnesses in the Church that we have been born again, that we are in conformity to Christ in His death and resurrection ^[429], and is asking God for a clear conscience toward Him ^[430].

The Lord’s supper is a holy meal ^[431]. Its celebration is a blessing for the Church. It is giving thanks for a participation in the blood of Christ and in the body of Christ ^[432] who made His life an offering for our sins once for all ^[433]. It commemorates and proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes ^[434]; it is a visible witness of our commitment to the new covenant ^[435]. It is the supreme place where the members of the Church share, forming the body of Christ. Only born again believers can celebrate it ^[436]: Thus it is appropriate to have been baptised to take part in it. In order to participate in a worthy manner, one must be conscious of one’s unworthiness and grief, while putting one’s trust in Christ’s forgiveness ^[437]. Eating the bread or drinking the cup in an unworthy manner ^[438], without discerning the body which is the Church, means eating and drinking judgement upon oneself. Doing wrong to the members of the Church and despising them is a major hindrance ^[439]. That is why it is necessary to examine and judge oneself. The warning of the Word of God involves our individual responsibility ^[440].