Speaker: Pastor Tim Bruns
Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-9
Series: —

Sermon Notes

1. Celebrating with the Lord's Supper
2. Celebrating with Baptism

Discussion Questions

Download the questions as a printable PDF file.

GETTING TO KNOW ME

Share your baptism experience or a memorable communion celebration.

INTO THE BIBLE

The following two articles are from our church’s Statement of Faith; read them as a group.

We believe that the Holy Spirit, in all that He does, glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ. He convicts the world of its guilt. He regenerates sinners, and in Him they are baptized into union with Christ and adopted as heirs in the family of God. He also indwells, illuminates, guides, equips and empowers believers for Christ-like living and service.

We believe that the true church comprises all who have been justified by God’s grace through faith alone in Christ alone. They are united by the Holy Spirit in the body of Christ, of which He is the Head. The true church is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances, baptism and the Lord’s Supper, which visibly and tangibly express the gospel. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances confirm and nourish the believer.

1. Spiritual baptism: At conversion, we believe that the Holy Spirit baptizes/immerses/places a person into union with Christ or into the body of Christ. Read the following verses: Romans 8:9-11, 14-15; Galatians 5:22-25; Ephesians 1:13-14; Colossians 1:9-12, 2:12; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 5:5. Describe the work of the Spirit in these passages and discuss the help and encouragement these truths can bring to a Christian’s life.
2. Water baptism: Our church believes that people—specifically those who have trusted in Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross as their only hope of salvation—should be obedient to what the Bible says and be baptized. Read the following verses: Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:34-48; Romans 6:3-5. Discuss how these passages answer the why and when of water baptism and what this ordinance symbolizes. 

3. Communion: When Jesus inaugurated communion, He and the disciples were celebrating the Passover (see Luke 22:14-16; compare to Exodus 12:1-14). That feast began hundreds of years earlier when the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. Jesus infused new meaning by taking the bread and the cup and tying it to His body and blood. How does the picture of Passover find fulfillment in Christ? See 1 Corinthians 5:7 and Hebrews 9:11-15, 10:10-14. Lastly, read 1 Corinthians 11:26. According to the Apostle Paul, what are we doing as we partake of communion? 

APPLICATION

We have focused on two ordinances (practices) that followers of Christ hold dear out of reverence and obedience to the Lord. They are powerful symbols of what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection. But as we read earlier, they are not a means of salvation. The Bible makes clear that there is bad news for every person: all are sinners deserving of condemnation. No ordinance, religious practice, or good work can change our hopeless situation. But it also says there is good news for every person: Jesus is the way, truth, and life (John 3:16-18, 14:6). The Philippian jailer asked the question, “What must I do to be saved?” and the Apostle Paul answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30-31). Are you asking the same question today? If so, talk to your Community Group leader, contact one of the church pastors, or visit the church website and read the “How Do We Get to Heaven?” article: www.efccl.org/heaven.

Maybe you are a follower of Christ but have not gone through water baptism, the public declaration that you have turned to God in repentance and have trusted in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Visit the church website for more information on the purpose of baptism and the process we have at EFCCL: www.efccl.org/baptism.