Is Baptism Required Before a Person Can Receive Communion?
The question of whether baptism is required before receiving communion is an important one for many Christians. There are differing perspectives on this issue within the broader Christian tradition. In this article, we will survey what the Bible teaches about baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the relationship between the two.
What is Baptism?
In the Bible, baptism is consistently presented as an act of obedience and public identification with Jesus Christ and the Christian community. Jesus himself was baptized, setting an example for his followers (Matthew 3:13-17). After his resurrection, Jesus commissioned his disciples to go and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
In the book of Acts, we see baptism closely associated with conversion and entry into the church. When Peter preaches at Pentecost, his hearers ask what they must do to be saved. Peter responds, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Throughout Acts, baptism is the expected response to receiving the gospel message and being saved (Acts 8:12-13, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16). Baptism publicly identifies a person as a believer in Christ and a member of his body.
What is the Lord’s Supper?
The Lord’s Supper (also called Communion or the Eucharist) was instituted by Jesus on the night before his crucifixion. As Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples, he took bread and wine and identified them as his body and blood, given for his followers. He instructed the disciples to “do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).
The Lord’s Supper reminds believers of Jesus’ sacrificial death on their behalf. It proclaims the gospel, pointing back to the cross and looking forward to Christ’s return (1 Corinthians 11:26). Partaking expresses the unity, hope, and covenant faithfulness that Christians share through Christ’s body and blood (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). It provides an opportunity for self-examination, repentance, reconciliation, and renewal (1 Corinthians 11:27-32). The Lord’s Supper is reserved for believers as a memorial act of worship and proclamation.
The Biblical Relationship Between Baptism and Communion
The New Testament does not explicitly prohibit the non-baptized from partaking in the Lord’s Supper or require baptism for participation. However, baptism and the Lord’s Supper are closely linked as initiating and continuing rites within the Christian community.
In the Great Commission, Jesus associates baptism with making disciples and teaching obedience to all his commands (Matthew 28:19-20). Since the Lord’s Supper was instituted as a command by Jesus, baptism can be seen as a prerequisite for obeying this and other commands of Jesus. Those who gladly receive the gospel and identify with Christ and his body through baptism are then equipped to obey Christ’s commands, including partaking in the Lord’s Supper.
The biblical pattern is for baptism to precede communion as acts of initiation and ongoing covenant renewal. On the day of Pentecost, those who received Peter’s preaching were first baptized then continued in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, which presumably included the Lord’s Supper (Acts 2:41-42). When addressing the Corinthians’ practice of communion, Paul assumes their baptism as believers and members of the church (1 Corinthians 1:13-17; 12:13). For Paul and the early church, baptism and communion were integrally connected as initiation into Christ’s death and resurrection life (Romans 6:3-4; 1 Corinthians 10:1-2).
Potential Exceptions and Pastoral Considerations
While the consistent biblical pattern is for baptism to precede the Lord’s Supper, there may be exceptions that call for pastoral wisdom. In Acts 10, new Gentile believers receive the Spirit before their baptism in water. This unusual reversal of order led Peter to permit their inclusion in the church and presumably the Lord’s Supper prior to baptism. There may be cases today where a new believer has a depth of understanding and faith commitment comparable to one who has been baptized. Elders and pastors must determine if such an exception applies.
The Bible does not explicitly address the status of children raised in the church with regard to communion participation. Many churches have practiced paedocommunion, permitting young covenant children to partake. Other churches require a profession of personal faith beforehand. Elders and parents must exercise wisdom in considering children’s readiness to obey Christ’s commands regarding communion.
Churches are also divided on permitting those from different denominations and theological traditions to partake in their communion services. While some practice open communion, others restrict participation to members in good standing or those who share common doctrine and oversight. These differences often relate to views on the meaning of communion and requirements for fellowship and unity within the body of Christ. Prudence and charity are necessary in setting policy but also in individual cases.
In all cases, communion practice should be ordered by love, integrity with Scripture, and sensitivity to believers’ conscience. Any baptized person who desires to obey Christ’s command in a worthy manner should not be lightly refused the Lord’s Supper. At the same time, care must be taken to honor the biblical pattern and rightly administer Christ’s ordinance for the edification of the church.
Key Biblical Passages on Baptism, Communion, and Their Relationship
– Matthew 3:1-17 – Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist, setting an example.
– Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-23 – Jesus institutes communion at the Last Supper.
– Matthew 28:19 – In the Great Commission, Jesus commands the apostles to baptize disciples.
– Acts 2:38-42 – At Pentecost, baptism is the response to receiving the gospel. New believers are baptized, then continue in apostolic teaching and fellowship.
– Romans 6:1-11 – Baptism unites believers with Christ’s death and resurrection. This initiates new life and obedience.
– 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 – Paul refers to communal baptism in crossing the Red Sea and spiritual food/drink from Christ, linking baptism and communion.
– 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 – Paul addresses abuses of communion in the Corinthian church, assuming the baptism of the believers participating.
– Colossians 2:11-12 – Connects union with Christ in baptism and communion. Baptism represents being buried and raised with Christ.
Conclusions
In summary, while the New Testament does not explicitly forbid baptized believers from partaking in communion, the consistent biblical pattern is for baptism to initiate Christian discipleship, including obedience to Christ’s command regarding communion. Exceptions for genuine believers may at times be permitted, but church leaders must be careful to uphold and honor the biblical model. Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are intimately linked as rites of initiation into and continual renewal of covenant union with Jesus Christ and his body.
