Question 68: According to the New Testament, how many sacraments did Christ institute?

Question 68: According to the New Testament, how many sacraments did Christ institute?

Answer: Two: Baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Matthew 3:13-15 “Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to stop him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ Jesus answered, ‘Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” So John gave him permission.”

Since Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist, it can be argued that Christ did not institute baptism. However, before his ascension, Jesus commanded the widespread spread of the gospel through baptism.

Matthew 28:19-20 “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, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

However, the Holy Communion was instituted by Jesus himself, and he personally gave it to his disciples while eating the Passover meal the day before his betrayal. Jesus instructed the believers to eat and drink the bread and wine to commemorate his death on the cross and resurrection.

Mark 14:22-25 “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks and gave it to them. They all drank from it, saying, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I tell you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.’”

The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ. Jesus' breaking of the bread symbolizes Christ's death on the cross, and the disciples' eating of the bread symbolizes their union with the resurrection life of Jesus Christ.

Wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus pouring wine into the cup symbolizes the blood Christ shed on the cross, and the disciples receiving and drinking from the cup symbolize drinking the water of life from heaven.

The Holy Communion, celebrated during the Passover meal, represents a time before the death and resurrection of the cross, and the Bible tells us that this will happen in the future. Therefore, Jesus said, "I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

Drinking new in the kingdom of God is resurrection life. Jesus died on the cross, became the resurrection life, and breathed the Holy Spirit into his disciples.

John 20:21-22 "Then Jesus said to them, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit.'" After Jesus ascended to heaven, he entered the disciples' hearts with the Holy Spirit and ate and drank with them.


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