Confirmation Part 8/10: Methodist Sacraments — Baptism and Communion
This is part of a series of mix-and-match curriculum resource for UMC Confirmation Classes and Teachers
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Methodist Sacraments — Baptism and Communion
A sacrament is a sacred act instituted by Christ — a visible sign of God's love and grace acting in our lives. Like most other Protestants, United Methodists recognize two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper (also called Communion or the Eucharist). United Methodists also celebrate other important acts of worship, including confirmation, marriage, funerals, family devotions, and the laying on of hands — but baptism and communion hold a unique place because Jesus himself participated in them.
Baptism
What Is Baptism?
Baptism is the sacrament of initiation — the act that joins a person to the body of Christ, the Church, and connects them with Christians everywhere. It marks the beginning of a lifelong process of growth in Christ.
Through baptism, new members are incorporated into the church, identified as baptized Christians, and given a sign of death, rebirth, and new life. Baptism assures us that our sins are forgiven. It can be received only once, but its effects are lasting. The United Methodist Church recognizes any Christian baptism.
A Brief History of Baptism
In the Old Testament, ceremonial bathing and anointing were signs of holiness — part of priestly initiation and consecration. Water carried deep meaning: cleansing, renewal, preparation for God's presence.
Jesus' baptism by John the Baptist gave the sacrament new meaning. Before Jesus, baptism was about purification — washing away what was impure. After Jesus, baptism was about transformation — creating something new. Baptism no longer just restored a pure condition; it created a new one.
Today, the United Methodist Church baptizes people of all ages. It's an event meant to be joyfully shared and celebrated by family, sponsors, and the whole church community.
The Water of Baptism
Water is the special symbol of baptism. It signifies:
Birth and Life — Paul likened the waters of baptism to the waters of the womb. As we are born from the womb, so in baptism we are born into Christian life.
Death and Resurrection — The waters of baptism link us with Christ's death and resurrection. Immersion in water is a form of burial that destroys sin and gives us new life in Christ.
Cleansing — As in the Old Testament, the water of baptism symbolizes the cleansing of sin and the purification of our souls.
Growth — Water traditionally symbolizes nourishment and growth. As rain must water the fields to bear crops, the waters of baptism begin a lifelong process of growth toward God.
The Meaning of Baptism
The sacrament of Baptism represents a gift from God and our response to it.
God's Gift: God freely offers us active grace and saving love, a spiritual home in the church, new life as God's adopted children, forgiveness for all our sins, the promise of salvation, and the gifts of love, joy, peace, and kindness.
"Then I will welcome you, and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." — 2 Corinthians 6:17–18
Our Response: We accept God's love by agreeing to fulfill our Christian responsibilities, obeying Christ's instructions to spread the good news, and living a Christian life of love and service to all. We respond as individuals (making a personal commitment to Christ), as church members (participating in the life of the church), and as Christians (leading lives that show our love for Christ and for each other).
Two Forms of Baptism
Infant Baptism emphasizes God's love freely given (not "earned" by our actions) and the responsibility of the church to nurture and protect its members. Parents or sponsors make commitments to guide and establish the child in faith. The Christian community welcomes and agrees to sustain the child. The baptism of an infant anticipates the child making a profession of faith when old enough to make a personal response.
Adult Baptism emphasizes personal acceptance of God's gift of grace, diligent preparation, and serious commitment to Christ. Candidates carefully consider their motives, participate regularly in the life of the church, and study the Bible under the guidance of sponsors. At baptism, adult recipients publicly state their acceptance of Christ and commit themselves to a life of obedience to God's will.
How Baptism Is Celebrated
The rite includes:
Introduction — The minister describes the importance of baptism and prays for the candidates. For infants, the minister reminds the congregation that children also receive God's grace.
Presentation of Candidates — A church member presents the names of candidates and tells why they've come before the congregation.
Renunciation of Sin and Profession of Faith — The minister asks adult candidates (or sponsors for children) if they renounce sin and injustice and accept service to God.
Baptism and Laying on of Hands — The minister baptizes each candidate in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Closing — The minister and congregation welcome new members with a blessing.
The rite may also include anointing with oil, the giving of new clothing (signifying new life), the giving of a lighted candle (symbolizing the life of Christ), oral testimony from new members, and Holy Communion.
Three Ways to Baptize
Sprinkling — Symbolizes the cleansing activity of the sacrament
Pouring — Symbolizes the outpouring of the gift of the Holy Spirit
Immersion — Symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ
Some traditions insist on one method. United Methodists practice all three — because the water matters more than the method.
The Role of Parents
Parents have a primary responsibility for passing on faith to their children. They teach them to live a life true to the gospel, accept the guidance of the church, worship God, learn from the Scriptures, and prepare to make a personal commitment to Jesus Christ. Preparation for a child's baptism should be both spiritual and practical — including study, prayer, choosing sponsors, and making arrangements with the minister.
The Role of the Church
At baptism, church members proclaim their responsibility to love and care for new members. They welcome new members into fellowship, agree to guide and instruct them, help strengthen the congregation, and renew their own commitments.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." — Matthew 28:19
Confirmation and Renewal
These are extensions of baptism, not repetitions of it.
Confirmation is the occasion for public profession of faith in Christ, commitment to Christian discipleship, and acceptance of the responsibilities of church membership. God reaffirms the divine promise given at baptism, members make a personal commitment before the congregation, and participants strengthen their faith.
Renewals allow members to reaffirm previous professions of faith. They are appropriate from time to time — to reaffirm commitments, celebrate new levels of spiritual awareness, or mark transferred or new membership.
The Lord's Supper
(Communion, Eucharist)
What Is the Lord's Supper?
The Lord's Supper is the central celebration of the Christian faith — a holy meal of bread and wine (or grape juice) that commemorates our redemption by Jesus. Sharing food has always been a special act of friendship among people. Jesus gave this practice new and deeper meaning.
At the table, Christians remember Jesus' sacrifice, celebrate God's covenant of forgiveness and hope, are reminded of God's presence, receive grace to strengthen and renew their faith, and share in the love and unity that connects Christians everywhere and across time. The Lord's Supper is one of the two sacraments instituted by Jesus himself.
The Origins of the Lord's Supper
The Passover Meal: The Jewish Passover meal commemorates God's deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. Bitter herbs, unleavened bread, and lamb are eaten. The Passover meal is one of thanksgiving for the gifts of food, friendship, and freedom.
The Last Supper: On the day before the crucifixion, Jesus gathered the Apostles and shared the Passover meal with them.
"While they were eating, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it he broke it, gave it to them, and said, 'Take; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, and all of them drank from it. He said to them, 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.'" — Mark 14:22–24
After Jesus' Death: Three days after Jesus' death, two disciples met a stranger on the road to Emmaus. That night, the stranger broke bread, blessed it, and gave it to them. They then recognized that the stranger was Jesus. The meal became associated with Jesus' resurrection.
In Following Centuries: The rite became more elaborate, celebrated by the minister or priest before the faithful. Today, the Lord's Supper emphasizes participation by the whole congregation, recapturing the original spirit of the meal.
The Meaning of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper expresses the living truth of Christian faith:
Remembrance — It reminds us of the last meal Jesus shared with the Apostles, and recalls his life, death, and resurrection. "Do this in remembrance of me." (1 Corinthians 11:24)
Thanksgiving — We thank God for all of creation and especially for our redemption from sin through Jesus' sacrifice. The Lord's Supper is sometimes called the "Eucharist" (from the Greek eucharisteo, "to give thanks").
Communion — The Lord's Supper expresses the unity of God's family. "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God." (Ephesians 2:19) It celebrates the coming together of Christians of all ages, from all regions and walks of life.
Sacrifice and Offering — We relive Jesus' sacrifice and recall that his life was given to atone for our sins. The Lord's Supper is also a time to offer our own good deeds, trials, and sacrifices to God.
How the Lord's Supper Is Celebrated
The Lord's Supper is celebrated during the Sunday service, usually monthly or quarterly:
Opening Prayers — The minister welcomes the congregation. A hymn of praise is sung. Prayers of praise and thanksgiving are recited.
Proclamation of God's Word — Scripture is read, hymns are sung, and the sermon is delivered.
Responses and Offerings — The congregation may say the Apostles' Creed or another profession of faith, exchange a sign of peace, and present offerings of bread and unfermented wine. Monetary offerings may be collected. Prayers of confession, pardon, and intercession may be recited.
The Holy Meal — A prayer of thanksgiving is said over the bread and cup, ending with the Lord's Prayer. The minister breaks the bread and lifts the cup, then takes Communion. Members come forward to receive. After Communion, all present recite a prayer of joy and commitment.
Final Blessing — The minister blesses the congregation and sends them out to serve God in the world.
More About Communion
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the risen and living Christ is with us as our host when we receive Communion.
Administration: At ordination, United Methodist ministers are authorized to officiate at the Lord's Supper. Lay persons may assist in distributing the bread and cup.
Reception: The United Methodist communion table is open. All who seek Christ are welcome. No exceptions. Every United Methodist should receive Communion when given the opportunity. Others are welcome to receive Communion in a United Methodist service. A United Methodist may receive Communion when invited in any Christian church. Children may receive Communion as well.
Symbols of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper uses tangible and intangible signs to express the deep mystery of salvation:
Bread signifies the physical body of Christ and the body of the church
The Cup stands for the blood of Christ and the life of the church
The Sharing of a Common Loaf expresses the unity of the Christian church
The Offering to All symbolizes that Jesus' sacrifice was made for all people
The physical presence of the bread and cup reminds us that our salvation is a reality.
How the Lord's Supper Enriches Our Lives
When we participate in the Lord's Supper, we experience a living encounter with God. Through faith and the Holy Spirit, we discover the life of the risen Christ, our spiritual food.
We receive forgiveness — we are pardoned for our sins. We receive peace — we are reconciled with God and with others. We receive courage — we are strengthened in our commitment and made more confident in faith.
We receive comfort — we are supported in our trials and eased in our suffering. We receive grace — God's love is bestowed on us and enlarged in us. We receive new life — we participate in a deeper spiritual life and a closer union with God. And we receive fellowship — the joy of sharing with the whole Christian community.
Through reverent participation, we are strengthened in our witness — in word, in work, in mission, and in life.
Come to the table of the Lord.
This is part of a series of mix-and-match curriculum resource for UMC Confirmation Classes and Teachers
