Baptism is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence in Christian life,
Communion is celebrated 100 times, 1000 times,
and repeatedly in Christian life to carry out Jesus' Great Commission.
In The Institutes of Christianity, Calvin posited that baptism represents the ‘initiation of faith’ through which individuals are admitted to the church and grafted into Jesus Christ, thereby becoming recognized as children of God. He further suggested that the sacraments serve as a form of ‘continual nourishment,’ providing spiritual sustenance to those who have been initiated into the Christian faith. Baptism is thus a profound rite of passage, whereby an individual confesses their salvation from sin. It is a singular event, marking the commencement of one’s Christian journey. Baptism is not repeated, but the sacrament of the Lord’s death is celebrated on numerous occasions, either 100 times or 1,000 times. The death of Jesus, who offered himself as a sacrifice on the cross to save us from our sins, is celebrated repeatedly in the sacrament. The sacrament of communion, which celebrates the atonement made by Jesus through his death and resurrection, is not a singular event; rather, it is a sacrament to be celebrated repeatedly. In other words, the sacraments are intended to be repeated as a means of nurturing faith.
It is not uncommon for individuals to experience a sense of monotony when they engage in the same activity on numerous occasions. However, the adage “the more you do it, the better” suggests that the more frequently an action is performed, the more profound the experience becomes. This is why baptism is sufficient on a single occasion, whereas the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper necessitates repeated participation. One may ensure the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is not perceived as tedious but rather as a source of inspiration and joy by engaging with the Bible. Through repeated reading and study of the Bible, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the Lord’s Supper, leading to a sense of gratitude and joy each time they partake. It is imperative for Christians to engage in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper on a regular basis, and to recall the pronouncements made by Jesus at the inaugural communion.
In the final Passover, Jesus conducted the inaugural communion with bread and wine, representing his flesh and blood. He instructed his followers to commemorate his death by partaking in communion with bread and wine. This book will examine the three declarations made by Jesus at the first communion, with a particular emphasis on the sacrament that should be observed repeatedly. The first is the New Covenant declaration, the second is the Christian declaration, and the third is the declaration of the presence of the Holy Spirit, also known as the Comforter. Subsequent to the three declarations of communion is the single offering of the cross of Jesus. A temporal interval exists between the three declarations of communion and the cross; nevertheless, the two are inextricably linked. This represents the transition from the use of sacred anointing oil to the application of the precious blood of Jesus. The transition from the anointing oil to the Precious Blood is not a continuation of the former as a different form; it is not that the anointing oil continues and the Precious Blood is used. Rather, it is that the anointing oil has ended and is now transformed into the Precious Blood, which persists as the Precious Blood. It is hoped that this excitement will always be present.