You do not need to know all the church words to feel at home here. Whether you are new to Christianity, returning to church, or bringing questions from another tradition, we are glad you are here.

Jesus gave His Church baptism and the Lord’s Supper, also called communion. We call them sacraments: visible signs through which God points us to Christ and confirms His gracious promises. Their power comes from God, not from the water, bread, or cup.

Baptism: a sign of God’s promise

Baptism uses water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It marks entrance into the visible church and points to cleansing from sin, belonging to Christ, and new life in Him. It is more than a personal milestone: it directs our attention to God’s grace.

Do I have to be perfect first?

No. For someone coming to faith, baptism follows a profession of trust in Jesus. You do not earn it by having a spotless past or knowing every answer. A pastor or elder will help you understand the gospel and prepare for this step. Baptism does not automatically save anyone; our hope is in Jesus Christ.

How do we baptize at Christchurch?

At Christchurch Miami, we are not focused on the amount of water used to baptize someone - immersion, pouring and sprinkling are all valid forms of baptism.

What about babies and children?

As a Presbyterian church, we baptize believers and the children of believers. We receive children into the church’s care, trusting God’s covenant promises and committing to help them grow in faith. Baptism does not mean a child is automatically saved. Children still need to come to personal faith in Jesus.

What if I have already been baptized?

Tell a pastor or elder about your baptism. Christian baptism is ordinarily received once. Joining Christchurch or preferring immersion does not, by itself, mean you need to be baptized again. We will help you work through any questions about your situation.

Read together: Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 6:3-4; Acts 2:38-39.

Matthew 28:18-20 ShowHide the passage

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Romans 6:3-4 ShowHide the passage

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Acts 2:38-39 ShowHide the passage

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

1 Communion: grace for the journey

A meal that points us to Jesus and draws us together as His people.

What is communion?

Jesus gave His followers bread and the cup to remember and proclaim His death until He returns. These signs point to His body given and His blood shed for us. Communion also expresses our shared life as one church family.

Is it only a reminder?

It is a remembrance, and more. By His Spirit, Jesus truly nourishes believers who receive communion in faith. The bread and cup do not physically become His body and blood. Through them, He strengthens our trust in Him and our love for one another.

Who should take communion?

Communion is for baptized Christians who profess faith in Jesus, belong to a gospel-believing church, and seek to follow Him in repentance. Listen to the pastor’s invitation and guidance when communion is served. If you are unsure whether to participate, speak with a pastor or elder.

What if my faith feels weak?

The table is for people who need Jesus, not people who have become perfect. Weak faith is not the same as no faith. Come honestly, confess your sins, and look to Christ for forgiveness and help. If you are troubled or uncertain, we would be glad to talk and pray with you.

How can I prepare?

Pause to remember what Jesus has done. Ask God to help you recognize and turn from sin, trust His mercy, and pursue peace with others. Preparation is an invitation to honest faith, not a test of whether you have had a flawless week.

What about children?

Baptism and admission to communion are distinct steps. Children begin receiving communion after professing their own faith and being examined and admitted by the elders. Parents can ask for help preparing their children with patient, age-appropriate conversations.

What if I am exploring faith or not ready?

You are welcome to remain with us while others receive communion. Let the bread and cup point you to Jesus, and use the time to listen, reflect, or pray. There is no need to pretend or feel embarrassed. We would love to hear your questions.

Your next step: Speak with a pastor or elder about baptism, communion, or your child’s questions. You do not have to sort everything out alone. Welcome home.

Read together: Luke 22:14-20; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; 11:23-29.

Luke 22:14-20 ShowHide the passage

And when the hour came, he reclined at table, and the apostles with him. And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves. For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 ShowHide the passage

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 ShowHide the passage

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 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.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

For further study: Westminster Confession of Faith, chapters 27-29; PCA Book of Church Order, chapters 56-58. pcaac.org/bco |

Baptism & Communion