8 April 2013 by James Hoh CM –
It is important to know what we follow as Christians especially in this very poloraised world. Traditions have no purpose in themselves if they do not serve us in our beliefs.
Our beliefs are fundamental to our understanding of Christ and the Church today. Sadly, some Christians do not hold firmly to them even though they benefit us.
I met up with a good friend of mine who is a pastor of a church in Kuala Lumpur from whom I learnt the meanings behind three main traditions or liturgies practiced today.
The following three liturgies, I believe, are deemed to be more important than others:
Holy Communion
Holy Communion is also called The Lord’s Supper. It is administrated to remember the Lord Jesus Christ and His works to atone and redeem us from sin. Therefore, Holy Communion is done for our sake.
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew26:26-28, NKJV)
How the Holy Communion is administered does not matter as long as the meaning is not deviated from the Bible.
Wafer or bread or biscuits crumples are passed round the congregation together with a wine glass or little cups that are filled with red wine or grape juice.
The wafer,bread and biscuit crumples symbolize the body of Christ that was broken for us while the red wine or the grape juice symbolize the precious blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for the forgiveness of sin.
Churches may practice the Holy Communion a little differently. In some churches, members are invited to kneel in front of the altar/stage while pastors would serve members individually.
In big churches, this may not be practical. Church members partake of the Holy Communion collectively while remain standing in the sanctuary. Holy Communion maybe observed daily, weekly or monthly.
We recognize that the Lord Jesus Christ is with us while we observe Holy Communion with respect and in a reverential manner.
Confession of Sins
At the Sunday service, we may confess the sins we have committed during the week. It is not wrong for Christians to confess only once in their life time but it would become an issue when Christians have totally forgotten that they still commit sins and are still in the process of sanctification and transformation.
Therefore, we should always remember that we are sinners and God’s mercy through Jesus Christ wipes away every blot of sins in our lives.
In addition, we receive God’s grace of salvation that we don’t deserve. This liturgy is practiced so that it would help us to remain sober.
However, we won’t be condemned if we skip any of the liturgies because we are saved by grace alone and not works.
When we confess our sins and also forgive others, God will forgive us. Therefore, it is for our own benefit that we forgive.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10, NKJV)
Water Baptism
Water baptism symbolizes a series of acts corresponding to the redeeming acts of Christ. Immersion symbolizes death. Submersion symbolizes burial and emergence symbolizes resurrection.
By water baptism, new converts could pledge their allegiance to Jesus Christ, fully yielded to Him. In so doing, the new converts would be able to declare to friends, relatives and parents that they have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Hence, the Church is to teach and impress the significance of water baptism on new converts.
Baptism by sprinkling is accepted by some churches, it is due to practical reasons either on the part of the church or physical conditions of the one being baptized.
It must be clarified that water baptism does not qualify our salvation. Water baptism is an outward confirmation of the new converts of his faith in Christ. The new converts benefit greatly by this commitment and action.
However, it is the confession of the mouth and believing heart in Christ’s death and resurrection that we will have salvation.
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9, NIV)
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.(Romans 10:10,NIV)
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17 NKJV)
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