Traditions of the family

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 2 Thessalonians 3.6(NKJV)

Two important traditions that Jesus expects all Christians to fulfil and observe respectively are water baptism and the Lord's supper.

1. Water Baptism

Matthew 28:18-19 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (NIV)

Water baptism is the immersion in water. It is done as a public declaration of our faith. When you became a member of God's family you started a new life (2 Corinthians 5:17). Water baptism is a physical demonstration of a spiritual change that has occurred in your life.

Being immersed in the water represents the death and burial of your old life. Coming out of the water is a picture of your new life in Jesus.

Even Jesus was baptized in water (Matthew 3:13-17), and he commanded us all to be baptized (Matthew 28:20).

Water baptism not only shows our obedience to Jesus but also exhibits our deliverance from the power of darkness.

2. The Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (NIV)

Jesus had supper with his disciples prior to his death (Luke 22:14-23).This supper is called the Lord's supper and it proclaims the death of Jesus. Jesus asked us to take the Lord's supper in remembrance of him.

When we come together as Christians and eat the Lord's supper (i.e.the bread and the wine) we are supposed to remind ourselves of what Jesus did for us when he died.

His shed blood means our sins are forgiven as far as God is concerned.Satan and the powers of darkness no longer have any power over us.We can receive our healing from any sickness or disease because of the death of Jesus. (Colossians 1:12-14, Colossians 2:14-15, 1 Peter 2:24-25)

Whereas water baptism is something we do only once after receiving Jesus, the Lord's supper can be taken as many times as possible. We can take the Lord's supper in our homes or in the church.

The Lord's supper is supposed to be a time of encouragement and strengthening from the Lord. It reminds us that all our needs have been met by the death and resurrection of Jesus. When we remind ourselves of the victory that Christ Jesus has attained for us we will be able to walk in them.