Can Baptism and Holy Communion only be done by the church?
Answer:
One of the responsibilities of the church is to baptize and carry out Holy Communion. These are to be carried out as a community of believers and not individually. Both baptism and communion have theological implications on what it means to be included in a covenantal relationship in the body of Christ. A person does not baptize himself, nor can he take communion alone. (Luke 22:17) Apart from the community of believers gathering a church, these commandments of God cannot be carried out in accordance with scripture.
We want to make a clear distinction between the church building and the church as a community of believers. Holy communion and baptism do not require a building to be administered in, but the community is essential.
To read more on how various aspects of Christian living can only be lived out when a believer is in the midst of a local body of believers, refer to these related questions:
- Why do we have to go to church? What is the purpose behind this?
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