The rite of water baptism differs from our communion table in that the bread and the cup are typically taken as an assembly, in the privacy of the church. The water baptism, while sometimes out of view of witnesses, is typically in public; ever since the days of John the Baptizer. It is a public statement and depending on where one lives, it may require a significant amount of courage to make this open declaration. It takes bravery to stand up to an antichrist culture, and by this action of baptism declare that “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.”