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The Lord’s Supper, Water Baptism, Marriage – Symbols or Sacraments?

Would it make a difference in what I receive from the Lord if, when I partake of the Lord’s Supper, I view it as a sacrament (a means of receiving His life-transforming power) rather than simply a symbol? This is a re-published article with some new additions.
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As long as we’re asking this question, let’s include water baptism and marriage in the discussion. Are these also sacraments? Nowhere does the Bible call any of these symbolic. The Bible does use the word symbol twice (Zech. 3:8; Heb. 9:9), so there is a place for symbols and parables in Scripture. However, the Lord’s Supper, water baptism and marriage are never spoken of as merely symbols. Could I be wrong? I am really a stickler for Scripture. If I believe something and can’t back it up with Scripture, then I throw it out and embrace what the Bible actually says. So what exactly does the Bible say?
Water baptism – can I believe for new freedom when I am baptized?

The word “baptize” simply means to submerge, immerse or dip under. In Christian water baptism, you are briefly immersed under water and then brought back up. There are several layers of meaning to this ceremony. First, it beautifully illustrates the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. At the same time, it is an outward demonstration of what has happened to you in the new birth. Your old man – that independent self that demanded its own way and thought it was the center of the universe – has died. What do you do with something that is dead? You bury it. And so baptism symbolically shows that your old self is dead and buried and no longer in control. As you are brought back up out of the water, it is the new you who is a child of God who comes forth, rising in newness of life.

But water baptism is also one of the doorways that open up more of God’s grace to us. The Church has historically considered water baptism to be a sacrament, which means it is a visible ceremony by which God confers His grace upon us. To understand the power involved, consider the sacrament of matrimony. Remember the words of Jesus concerning marriage, “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder” (Matt. 19:4-6)? Through the marriage ceremony, God supernaturally and mysteriously unites a man and women into one flesh (Mk. 10:8).
If we will have faith to believe it

Water baptism can be a sacrament wherein God gives us the grace to die to sinful patterns and live in victory. I have personally known individuals who have gone under the waters of baptism as smokers and risen up free from the addiction. So you see, while it is a picture of your death and burial in Him, it can be much more than that, if you will believe. Romans 6:3-14 clearly says that we have been buried with Him through baptism into death; we have died with Christ in order that our body of sin might be done away with. Colossians 2:11-14 declares we were buried with Him in baptism and raised up with Him through faith.

If you will embrace it in faith, God will use the opportunity of your baptism to cut the power of sinful habits out of your life and release you to a new level of holiness that you have not known before (1 Pet. 3:21, Rom. 6:4, Col. 2:11-14).

Lord’s Supper – as often as you eat…
The Lord’s Supper is regarded as another sacrament of the Church – an outward ceremony in which the Lord imparts grace to His people. There is the grace of forgiveness of sins as we remember the blood of Jesus. There is the grace of healing when we remember His broken body. There is the grace of knowing that God has chosen to covenant with us to provide all our needs, both spiritual and physical (2 Pet. 1:3, Phil. 4:19). There is the grace of all the blessings given through the divine exchange on the cross. And there is the grace of being part of a Body, no longer walking alone but a member of the royal priesthood, the holy nation, the Church of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 2:9).

Paul exhorts us to remember Christ’s death every time we eat bread and drink the fruit of the vine (1 Cor. 11:23-26). Some churches offer Communion in their services just a few times a year; others offer it every day to those who will come. But there is nothing in Scripture that says only an ordained minister can bless the elements and remember the Lord’s death and receive the grace that is offered through the Lord’s Supper.

Whenever you meet with fellow believers, you can share the bread and the cup and by faith receive whatever you need. In fact, there is no reason you cannot remember His sacrifice every time you eat and drink, even if there is no one else with you. You are still a member of the Body and a partner in the covenant, and His grace is available to you every day.

The Bible states, “This is My body…this is My blood” (Matt. 26:26-28, Mk. 14:22-24, Lk. 19-20, 1 Cor. 11:23-31). So could I partake of the Lord’s Supper in faith, believing to receive everything His body and blood provides for me? His broken body provides my physical healing (Isa. 53:5). His blood washes away all my sin and I stand glorious and radiant in God’s sight. Shame is gone. Darkness is gone. Guilt is gone. I am free.

As for me, I choose to honor water baptism, the Lord’s Supper and marriage as sacraments (Prophetic Gestures), and in simple childlike faith receive all these amazing provisions which God has made available to me!
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Excerpted from Your Extraordinary Life, (https://www.cwgministries.org/store/your-extraordinary-life) an ideal gift for new believers and a great study for all. CDs, DVDs and complete e-learning module also available.
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Journaling
Lord, what would You speak to me concerning the power of water baptism, the Lord's Supper, and marriage?

The Cross Provided Everything – Journaling Prayer by LaWanda

LaWanda – ♪♪ Jesus, Jesus, how I love you, How I’ve proved you o’er and o’er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus, O for grace to love you more. ♪♪ O yes, Lord, I HAVE proved you over and over and over. I praise you, Lord, that you are a covenant-keeping God who does not change and cannot lie. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus.

Lord, what do you want to say to me today? I know you love me. I know you see me through the eyes of the Cross. What else do you want me to know today?

Jesus – O my dear LaWanda, my precious LaWanda with a capital “W,” can I tell you again how very much I love you? Can I tell you that my death on the Cross provided everything you will EVER need? Do you need provision?? Ask me as Jehovah Jireh to provide and surely I will. Do you need peace? Ask me as Jehovah Shalom and you will realize that I gave it to you 2000 years ago as I ascended into heaven. Are you feeling weak in your walk with me? Know that I am most powerful in your weakness. It's by design, dear one, for you would not need to depend on me if you could do it all yourself.

Is this enough for you today? My love, My peace, My provision and My strength. Yes, it IS enough but there is one thing more I want you to be sure that you know in the depths of you. You may not need it today, but there may come a time when you do. Or, you may just need to know it so you can share it with someone Holy Spirit brings your way. Here it is:

There is nothing – NO THING – that you could EVER do that would separate you from My love. You may see yourself as distanced from Me but that does not make it so. I have not gone anywhere. Changing you mind about where you are is all that it takes to remove the perceived distance. Draw near to me and I will ALWAYS draw near to you. Turn back to me, dear one, and in that moment your eyes and your heart are opened to see what always has been…A loving Father waiting for his child to return. Remember this truth, dear one, for yourself or for someone else who is hurting. I am always here…waiting for you to come home.

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For years, Glenn Beck felt it was part of his calling as a broadcaster to warn people about the destruction of freedom, the transition of our economy, and the rise of tyrannical global elites. But now, Glenn believes he has a new calling: hope. Back in April, he got an opportunity to speak about it at the First Landing 1607 Project’s event, “The Declaration of Covenant.” But it wasn’t just a message for the people in that room. Glenn believes it was the start of something new that will involve ALL of us. Glenn shares his testimony, his new calling, who he believes the next Billy Graham will be, and where he believes we are right now: America has forgotten who she is, the world is in chaos, the people of God are under attack, and the enemy thinks he’s winning. But the Lord is preparing a surprise party - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAbQ2ig8zBA

The Crown of Lovingkindness – Journaling Prayer by LaWanda

LaWanda – O Jesus, my Jesus, thank you for your blood that was shed for me, that covers me and protects me. Thank you, Jesus, that you took the punishment for our sin on your body, Lord. O, how you must love us. Thank you, Jesus, my precious, precious, Lord.
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I see you today, Lord, standing behind me. I am seated, thanking you, Lord for all you have done and will do. O Jesus, thank you that your lovingkindness never fails, that you will not allow it to fail. Your hands are so warm on my shoulders, Lord. It takes knowing you are with me to a whole different level as I feel your presence with every pulse of your heart. With every beat of your heart, your love flows into me. You move your hands and pick something up. I look back and see that it is a crown. It is the crown of lovingkindness and it is beautiful. I feel it as you place it on my head. How can it fit so perfectly, Lord? Like it is supposed to be there. Your left hand remains on my shoulder but the right hand is raised to the Father as you begin to bless me. With my whole heart I thank you, Lord. I bow my heart in awe and wonder as I hear you speak over me.

Jesus – LaWanda, My dear one, My precious, precious one. Hear Me now!
I am He who forgives all your iniquities.
I am He who heals all your diseases.
I am He who redeems your life from destruction.
I am He who satisfies your mouth with good things and renews your strength like the eagle’s.
I am He who crowns you with My lovingkindness.
Even now, receive My redemption.
Receive My forgiveness.
Receive My healing.

Receive My lovingkindness and all it entails: My goodness, My mercy, My grace, My faithfulness and My steadfast love and My devotion to you.

And remember, dear one, that all means ALL. ALL iniquities means ALL iniquities. ALL diseases means ALL diseases. Receive these My tender mercies, even now, dear one. And bless the One who has given them to you. Bless Me and forget not what I have done for you this day.

This crown is not something that you will remove, LaWanda. Wear it continually and as you interact with those around you, ask me… "Which part of Your lovingkindness do they need today, Lord?" And as you have freely received, so then freely give. I will bless and multiply each of these offerings given to me in this way. When you give mercy, you will receive mercy. When you give grace, you will receive grace. You will be blessed; they will be blessed and I will be honored.
One day you will lay this crown at My feet, dear one. But in the meantime, wear it and use it to glorify Me. My lovingkindness will never run out. Nor will the blessings that flow from you giving it away.
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“Bless the Lord, O my soul, all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crown you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your strength is renewed like the eagle’s.” Psalm 103: 1-5

“Nevertheless, My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, nor allow My faithfulness to fail. My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.” Psalm 89:33-34

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