In Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27, we learn that we were baptized into Christ. And in John 6:56, we learn one way to dwell or remain in Christ. Jesus said, “He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.” (KJV)
In the King James translation “eth” on the end of a verb shows that the action of that verb is in the present tense participle, meaning that it’s happening now and continue to happen. As in John 6:56, “He that eateth and drinketh” – you eat and drink now and continue to eat and drink just as you do at the Lord’s Table from each Lord’s Day to the next. The same is said of the verb dwelleth, you dwell now and continue to dwell, if you continue to eat and drink. It’s comforting to know that we can remain in Him and He in us by being faithful to His table.
It’s also comforting to know with a surety, that after proper examination of one’s self, confessing our sins, repenting of those sins, and pleading the blood and nothing but the blood, that God is faithful and just to cleanse (cleanseth in KJV) us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7-9).
The only two places in scripture that I have found where it’s possible to contact the blood of Jesus, is at baptism and at the Lord’s Supper. Is it any wonder that baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two most controversial subjects in the religious world today.
Satan hates the blood of Jesus because that’s the one thing he cannot defeat, and if he can keep people away from either the waters of baptism or the communion table, he has them defeated them.
Satan has succeeded in his feat through the maze of the denominational churches of today. They have replaced the baptistery with an unscriptural “alter call” and receive the Lord’s Supper only occasionally or on special days or have done away with it entirely. As Christians, we need to keep and maintain the New Testament pattern for both baptism and communion, and thus, not only know we are is Christ (dwelleth), and He remains (dwelleth) in us as well…
PRAYER: Dear God, as we gather together (spiritually) as brothers and sisters in Christ to remember the extraordinary sacrifice You made in sending Jesus, Your beloved Son to be with us. We thank You for His legacy in words, actions and obedience to suffering on the cross.
We come to You now to ask for forgiveness for any thoughts, words or deeds that have not honored Your name. We are truly sorry for the times we have chosen to live selfishly rather than heed Your calling. We invite you to inhabit our hearts now as we take communion. As we share this meal, come bind us together as one family, filled with Your love. My You bless the bread and the cup. May it nourish and cleanse our bodies.
Thank You Lord for Your grace that is at work in our lives.Amen!