The first act is an individual act. He or she is baptized into Christ. This person understands who Jesus is. He or she trusts what God did in Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. He or she trusts two things:
In this trust, evil's lordship is rejected, and Jesus is enthroned as the Lord of his or her life. This believing, penitent person is baptized into Christ.
Having been baptized, this person chooses to be an active, contributing part of the community of Christians [the church]. The Lord made him or her a part of those people [Acts 2:47]. He or she wishes to be a responsible part of God's people. Every week he or she declares commitment to Jesus Christ and God's community of Christians.
The second act of commitment is both individual and collective. He or she assembles with a community of Christians to worship God. At the core of this worship is communion. We often refer to communion as the Lord's Supper. This commitment basically serves three purposes.
All distinctions are erased. In God's community individual worth is determined solely by being in Christ. A Christians' worth is not determined by social, economic, cultural, ethic, or political distinctions. Those in Jesus Christ are one--because of God's gifts to us in Jesus Christ. Each Christian accepting God's responsibility to be community with those in Christ affirms his or her commitment to be "one" with all who are in Christ.
Sunday our entire assembly will be devoted to communion. Communion itself will be served near the end of the assembly. We will prepare our minds and hearts for that moment.
Link to other Writings of David Chadwell