Sacraments

The sacraments of baptism and the Lord's Supper were instituted by Jesus Christ as signs and seals of the covenant. They explain the basis of this covenant and apply its benefits to believers. They replace circumcision and the Passover which were the sacraments of the old covenant.

The sacraments as signs of the new covenant

Baptism

Matthew 28:19 Baptism is one sign of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. See also Acts 2:38, Acts 2:41

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

The Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 parallels Matthew 26:26–28, Mark 14:22–24, Luke 22:17–20 The new covenant was sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

The sacraments as a participation in the body of Christ

Baptism

Galatians 3:27 In the NT baptism immediately follows conversion and testifies to the individual's union with Christ. See also Romans 6:3

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

The Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 The “body of Christ” is a term which goes beyond Jesus Christ to the church. Those who partake of the bread in this way are declaring their membership of the church. See also Matthew 26:26 parallels Mark 14:22, Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24; John 6:32–35, John 6:48 Jesus Christ likens himself to bread as he is the source of spiritual life and nourishment; John 6:50–58 The believer who eats the bread of the Lord's Supper is renewing his or her dependence on Jesus Christ for spiritual life.

Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

The sacraments as a participation in the death of Christ

Baptism

Romans 6:3–4 Through baptism individuals declare that they have applied to themselves the death of Jesus Christ which atones for sin. See also Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16 Baptism does not accomplish the cleansing from sin but it is the outward sign that this has taken place by faith; Romans 6:5–7; Colossians 2:12; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21

Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life.

The Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 11:26 In taking the emblems of Jesus Christ's broken body and shed blood individuals perpetually apply the merits of Christ's death (i.e., forgiveness of sins) to themselves. See also Matthew 26:27–28 parallels Mark 14:23–24, Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 11:25; John 6:53–56; 1 Corinthians 10:16

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

The sacraments of the old covenant

Circumcision

Acts 7:8 Circumcision was the initiation rite under the old covenant. See also Genesis 17:10–14; Romans 2:28–29 Circumcision was never meant as merely an outward rite. To be effective it required a right attitude of heart; Romans 4:10–11 Circumcision was the seal of Abraham's righteousness imputed to him by his faith; Colossians 2:11–12 Circumcision has now been superseded by baptism for the Christian as the rite of initiation.

Then God gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision, and Abraham became the father of Isaac and circumcised him on the eighth day. And Isaac became the father of Jacob, and Jacob of the twelve patriarchs.

The Passover

Exodus 12:25–27 The Passover meal was instituted as a regular commemoration of Israel's redemption from slavery in Egypt. See also Luke 22:15–16 The death of Jesus Christ is closely associated with the Passover by its timing and meaning. The Lord's Supper has superseded the Passover as the corporate meal commemorating the act of redemption; 1 Corinthians 5:7

When you enter the land that the LORD will give you as He promised, you are to keep this service. When your children ask you, ‘What does this service mean to you?’ you are to reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He struck down the Egyptians and spared our homes.’” Then the people bowed down and worshiped.