Does a Christian have to be baptized first before he or she can partake in communion?
Luke 22:19
ESV - 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
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Asked April 26 2017
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Tommy Robertw
Supporter
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Philip Davies
Supporter
No, a person does not need to be baptised in order to share with other Christians around the Lords table. All that is needed is that you love Jesus and you want to remember his death with other Christians in common fellowship. 1 Cor 11:26 As things often turn out, most people tend to be baptised before they meet around the Lords table simply because baptism is the sign of first becoming a Christian. But even though it is usual it is not essential. There is no biblical qualification of baptism that you have to attain before you can remember the Lord in this way. We sometimes turn things like baptism into a requirement when it isn't. I have even heard people say that you can't be saved unless you have been baptised. All of this is quite untrue and quite unnecessary. Baptism is merely a sign; it doesn't do anything to you nor does it qualify you for anything. It is just a helpful reminder of a new start in the same way that the Lords table is a helpful reminder of what it cost to save us. So while neither baptism or communion are necessary to salvation, they are given to us to help our spiritual life. But we should avoid turning what is given as a help into a requirement. When we do that, we end up with a religion of works rather than a religion of grace. Regards Phil
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