The Boundless Daily: Day 5 - The Table and the Tank: Communion and Baptism

Welcome to Day 5 of The Boundless Daily.

We're talking about two things that make some people nervous in the online church world: Communion and Baptism.

The table and the tank.

The bread and the water.

The remembering and the declaring.

Let's dig in.

What Are the Ordinances?

In church language, we call them "ordinances."

Big word. Simple meaning.

An ordinance is something Jesus told us to do.

Not something that saves us.

Not something that earns us points with God.

Just something Jesus said, "Do this."

There are two ordinances Jesus gave the church:

Communion (also called the Lord's Supper).

Baptism.

Both are symbolic.

Both are powerful.

Both are about remembering what Jesus did and declaring who we belong to.

The Table: Communion in a Digital Space

Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me."

He broke bread. He poured wine.

He said the bread represents His body, broken for us.

The cup represents His blood, poured out for our forgiveness.

Communion isn't magic.

It doesn't save you or add to your salvation.

But it's a sacred pause.

A moment to remember the cost of your freedom.

A time to reflect on the cross.

Can You Take Communion Online?

Here's the honest answer: Yes.

God isn't limited by location.

When you sit at your kitchen table with crackers and juice and take a moment to remember Jesus, He's there.

When you're working a night shift and you pause during a livestream service to take communion, He sees you.

The power isn't in the building.

The power is in the blood of Jesus and the sincerity of your heart.

At Boundless Online Church, we encourage our community to participate in communion during our live services.

Grab whatever you have, bread, crackers, juice, wine, and take it together with believers around the world.

You're not alone at that table.

You're connected to a global family.

The Tank: Baptism in the Local Church

Baptism is different.

It's a one-time declaration.

A public statement that says, "I'm all in with Jesus."

Baptism is about going under the water and coming back up.

It's a picture of death and resurrection.

The old you dies.

The new you rises.

Why Local Baptism Matters

Here's where online church gets real.

You can worship online.

You can study the Bible online.

You can take communion online.

But baptism?

That needs witnesses.

It needs community.

It needs water and a person to baptize you.

Baptism is meant to be physical and public.

We encourage everyone at Boundless Online Church to connect with a local church or baptism partner for this step.

If you're in Memphis, we'd love to help you get baptized.

If you're anywhere else in the world, we can help you find a church near you.

You don't have to do this alone.

Why These Two Things Matter

Communion and baptism aren't just religious rituals.

They're markers.

Baptism marks the beginning.

It's your "yes" to Jesus made visible.

It's you saying, "I'm not who I used to be."

Communion marks the journey.

It's a regular reset button.

A reminder that you're forgiven.

A moment to examine your heart.

A chance to remember why you're here.

Both ordinances keep the gospel front and center.

They keep us from drifting.

They anchor us to the story of Jesus.

The Assemblies of God View

We believe in two ordinances and two ordinances only.

Baptism is by immersion (full dunking, not sprinkling) and is for believers who have already accepted Jesus.

It's not what saves you: faith in Jesus saves you: but it's the first step of obedience after salvation.

Communion is a memorial, not a re-sacrifice.

Jesus died once. It's finished.

We take communion to remember, not to repeat.

We believe the bread and juice are symbols, not literal body and blood.

But symbols matter.

They carry weight.

They tell a story.

Practical Steps for You

If you're new to all this, here's where to start:

If you've never been baptized:

Reach out to us. Let us help you take that step.

We can connect you with a local church or help coordinate a baptism in your area.

Text us at 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.

If you want to take communion online:

Join us for a live service at Sunday Live Worship.

Grab some bread and juice before the service starts.

When we take communion together, pause and reflect.

You're not doing this alone.

If you have questions:

Ask them. That's what we're here for.

Visit the Prayer Wall or reach out via text.

We're a community, not a broadcast.

A Global Table and Tank

Here's what we love about Boundless Online Church.

When we take communion together, we're literally around the world.

Time zones don't stop us.

Borders don't divide us.

Someone in Asia is taking communion at the same moment as someone in Africa.

Someone working a night shift in Texas is remembering Jesus alongside someone caring for a sick family member in Europe.

That's the body of Christ.

Scattered but united.

Different but one.

And when someone gets baptized: no matter where they are: we celebrate.

Because one more person just publicly declared, "I belong to Jesus."

The Bottom Line

Communion and baptism aren't complicated.

They're simple acts with deep meaning.

One is regular. One is once.

One you do at home. One you do in community.

Both point to Jesus.

Both are gifts He gave us.

Don't overthink them.

Just do them.

Remember Him at the table.

Declare Him in the tank.

And let these two markers keep you anchored in the story that changed everything.

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Boundless Online Church is a ministry of FA Memphis.

Need prayer or ready to take your next step? Text us at 1-901-213-7341 (message & data rates may apply). Not for emergencies.

Or visit us online anytime at www.boundlessonlinechurch.org.

We'd love to walk with you.