Baptism and Communion, a Mystery Planet, and Church Attendance by Pastor Walter Snyder Q: I have not yet been baptized. Is it okay for me to take communion or do I need to be baptized first? A: I know of no churches which regularly commune unbaptized people. Baptism is a means by which God incorporates people into the Christian Church. Communion feeds and sustains believers during their time on earth. Since self-examination is part of the reception of the Lord's Supper, a time of instruction often precedes the welcome to the altar. This instruction can continue after someone is baptized. Q: Do you know where the Bible mentions the Planet Moroz? A: I've never seen this name mentioned as a planet anywhere in the Bible. Q: Could you please tell me what Scriptures explain to someone why we should attend church. I know that we are to gather to gather with God's children but where in the Bible does it say this? A: Scripture doesn't prescribe a specific day for worship. Neither does it enforce the Sabbath upon the New Testament Church. However, God does want Christians to regularly gather together to hear the Word and receive the Lord's Supper. Hebrews 10:25 speaks against those "neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some." Acts 2:42 commends the believers for regularly devoting "themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." While no day is specifically commanded, the Church very early chose Sunday as its special day of worship since that is the day Christ rose from the dead. Thus, already in Acts 20:7, we note that the congregation in Troas gathered on "the first day of the week" in order "to break bread." At this time Paul delivered a particularly lengthy sermon and "prolonged his speech until midnight." Since the Church gathers to hear the Word preached and applied to the believers lives, we should take seriously those Scriptures which talk about the proclamation and hearing of the Word. A believer should want to be where God's Word is preached: "Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God. (John 8:47)" Those who regularly stay away from church services yet consider themselves Christian should take these words of Christ to heart. Only one who is "not of God" would want to not hear God's Word. Similarly, Jesus commissioned His apostles to proclaim His Word. That same apostolic Word is regularly proclaimed by the pastors of Christ's Church. Luke 10:16 reminds us that when Christ's called representatives speak on His behalf, it's the same as if he were speaking Himself: "The one who hears you hears Me, and the one who rejects you rejects Me, and the one who rejects Me rejects him who sent Me." (See also 1 Thessalonians 4:8.) And since Christ not only calls us to follow Him but to be like Him, what is more Christ-like than saying with Him, "Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house? (Luke 2:49)" Attending also allows us to share in what the Lutheran Church calls "the mutual conversation and consolation of the brethren," an upbuilding which occurs when the saints gather around Word and Sacrament. As Christ says in Matthew 18:20, "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I among them." Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2004 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."