The Sacraments
We believe that the church is the congregation of saints, in which the Gospel is rightly taught and the Sacraments are rightly administered. For us as disciples at St. Paul and as Lutherans, we believe two key things happen for the church to be present.
A Sacrament is that which is done by God for us as instituted by Christ. It is the grace of God poured out to His people.
We know that all Christians do not have the same understanding about the Sacraments. However, we rejoice in our similarities, celebrating them, and understand and respect our differences. Remember, it’s not how we do what we do as Christians that unites us—IT IS JESUS CHRIST.
BAPTISM
Baptism is not just water—it is water understood according to God’s command in the Bible and bound to God’s Word. Water and the Word of God together make Baptism.
Christ commanded all to be baptized, which makes it necessary in order for a person to be saved. We baptize infants because they are God’s children, too. God’s plan of salvation includes them as well. In the case of infants, we have sponsors who stand in for the child as representatives of the church promising to see that the baptized child will receive proper instruction so they may grow in faith.
Baptism is God’s way of receiving us into His covenant promise. It opens for us all the rewards and treasures that come from Christ’s redemptive act on the cross. Through baptism, God adopts us as His children and we become members of His Church.
Baptism gives us the forgiveness of our sins. This forgiveness is what Christ went to the cross to win for us by His death. We receive the forgiveness of our sins, deliverance from Death, and release from the power of the Devil. Through baptism I am “baptized into Christ’s death,” which means He has already suffered and died for me. For His sake, God has pardoned and saved me.
THE LORD'S SUPPER
Holy Communion is a banquet of celebration. It is also the means of grace—the way God extends to us His love and mercy. It is the most important feast of celebration we can ever be a part of this side of heaven. It is the Word of God made visible so that His grace may come to us in a very real way.
We KNOW and BELIEVE that we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine. The bread and wine are the “vehicles,” the VISIBLE MEANS, by which God’s grace comes to us. For us, as Lutherans, we use the earthly elements of bread and wine to experience the body and blood of Christ.
There’s another point that must be made about receiving Holy Communion “in an unworthy manner.” We can never, repeat, NEVER, make ourselves worthy to receive the Sacrament. If we think we are worthy, then we assume that the Sacrament is something we deserve or in some way have earned. Nothing could be further from the truth. Holy Communion is ALWAYS a GIFT given from God. It’s given because He loves us, not because we deserve it. We are sinners, first, last, and always.
At St. Paul, we are fully aware that many who come to worship with us as visitors or those looking for a spiritual home have different backgrounds. In order for anyone to partake of Holy Communion we only require that you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and invite you to His table to celebrate with us.
Because we are aware of the many people who need gluten free wafers, they are offered at all our communion celebrations.
- The good news (Gospel or God’s Word) is proclaimed and taught.
- The Sacraments (Holy Baptism and Holy Communion) are properly administered.
A Sacrament is that which is done by God for us as instituted by Christ. It is the grace of God poured out to His people.
We know that all Christians do not have the same understanding about the Sacraments. However, we rejoice in our similarities, celebrating them, and understand and respect our differences. Remember, it’s not how we do what we do as Christians that unites us—IT IS JESUS CHRIST.
BAPTISM
Baptism is not just water—it is water understood according to God’s command in the Bible and bound to God’s Word. Water and the Word of God together make Baptism.
Christ commanded all to be baptized, which makes it necessary in order for a person to be saved. We baptize infants because they are God’s children, too. God’s plan of salvation includes them as well. In the case of infants, we have sponsors who stand in for the child as representatives of the church promising to see that the baptized child will receive proper instruction so they may grow in faith.
Baptism is God’s way of receiving us into His covenant promise. It opens for us all the rewards and treasures that come from Christ’s redemptive act on the cross. Through baptism, God adopts us as His children and we become members of His Church.
Baptism gives us the forgiveness of our sins. This forgiveness is what Christ went to the cross to win for us by His death. We receive the forgiveness of our sins, deliverance from Death, and release from the power of the Devil. Through baptism I am “baptized into Christ’s death,” which means He has already suffered and died for me. For His sake, God has pardoned and saved me.
THE LORD'S SUPPER
Holy Communion is a banquet of celebration. It is also the means of grace—the way God extends to us His love and mercy. It is the most important feast of celebration we can ever be a part of this side of heaven. It is the Word of God made visible so that His grace may come to us in a very real way.
We KNOW and BELIEVE that we receive the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the bread and wine. The bread and wine are the “vehicles,” the VISIBLE MEANS, by which God’s grace comes to us. For us, as Lutherans, we use the earthly elements of bread and wine to experience the body and blood of Christ.
There’s another point that must be made about receiving Holy Communion “in an unworthy manner.” We can never, repeat, NEVER, make ourselves worthy to receive the Sacrament. If we think we are worthy, then we assume that the Sacrament is something we deserve or in some way have earned. Nothing could be further from the truth. Holy Communion is ALWAYS a GIFT given from God. It’s given because He loves us, not because we deserve it. We are sinners, first, last, and always.
At St. Paul, we are fully aware that many who come to worship with us as visitors or those looking for a spiritual home have different backgrounds. In order for anyone to partake of Holy Communion we only require that you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and invite you to His table to celebrate with us.
Because we are aware of the many people who need gluten free wafers, they are offered at all our communion celebrations.
Faithfully Rooted Since 1901,
St. Paul, the Red Roof Church
Copyright © 2019 St. Paul Lutheran Church of Bulverde. All Rights Reserved.
