Leviticus 7:11-15 - The Lord's Supper and Fellowship

Leviticus 7:11-15

11 ‘Now this is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings which shall be presented to the Lord. 12 If he offers it by way of thanksgiving, then along with the sacrifice of thanksgiving he shall offer unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers spread with oil, and cakes of well stirred fine flour mixed with oil. 13 With the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving, he shall present his offering with cakes of leavened bread. 14 Of this he shall present one of every offering as a contribution to the Lord; it shall belong to the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offerings.

15 ‘Now as for the flesh of the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offerings, it shall be eaten on the day of his offering; he shall not leave any of it over until morning.

Message: The Lord's Supper and Fellowship

Time: There is sufficient evidence that Moses penned Exodus and Leviticus including references to Leviticus by New Testament authors. Its name means "pertaining to the Levites" and its purpose was to instruct the Israelites on right living and proper worship. The most likely time for this is 1446 BC. The book communicates that receiving God’s forgiveness and acceptance should be followed by holy living and spiritual growth.

What the Lord is Saying: There has been disagreement among Roman Catholics and Protestants about the Lord's Supper. Some in the Roman Catholic church believe that the Lord's Supper is a propitiatory offering. But there is no support for this in scripture and instead one has to then say that this is an extra-biblical teaching. Propitiatory offering means:

The mass is said to be something more than a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. It is properly a “propitiatory sacrifice” - that is, a sacrifice offered “for sins.” “The Sacrifice of the Mass is offered to God…to appease Him, make Him due satisfaction for our sins, and to help the souls in Purgatory, and hence it is called Propitiatory” (Catechism of St Pius X).

The Old Testament sacrifices are varied -- a few examples are peace offerings, thanksgiving offerings, burnt offerings. The Burnt offering is mentioned in Leviticus 1 "that he may be accepted before the Lord" (v. 2) and "to make atonement on his behalf (v. 4)". Thus, a propitiatory offering that foreshadowed the final wrath-satisfying atonement of Christ. In this offering the entire animal is offered to the Lord and none of the animal was eaten. 

Peace offerings however included eating of the animal. And the peace offering could also be a thanksgiving offering. This would bring a parallel then between the New Testament Lord's Supper and these offerings as in the Lord's Supper today we feed on the body and blood of Christ. 

Thus, like the peace offering and thanksgiving offering we are remembering the goodness of God for our redemption and offering up praise to Him of thanksgiving and worship. We eat of the animal or eat of unleavened cakes and wafers as today's passage mentions. And eat of the body and blood of Christ in today's Lord's Supper, and thus the parallel. Thus our fellowship with Christ is confirmed. 

Summary: The Lord's Supper is an offering to the Lord of thanksgiving, peace, and fellowship whereby we partake of the body and blood of Christ in remembrance of his goodness and redeeming us. 

Promise: From Tabletalk: We do not fellowship over food with our enemies but typically only with our friends and family. Christ invites all who believe in Him to His table. If we have faith in Him alone for salvation, then the eating and drinking signifies that we are at peace with Him and impresses the reality of this peace and fellowship on our souls.

Prayer: O Lord, thank you for the goodness of Your Word and the parallels between the Old and New Covenants and weaving it all together. May I be a person that continually remembers You and the Goodness of Your Sacrifice for me. Thank you for dying for me and granting me new and forever life in You. Help me to continue to celebrate and remember You as I engage in the Lord's Supper, thanking you for the union I have with You in Christ. Thank you for making the Lord's Supper distinct and special. 

I Corinthians 11:27-32 - The Lord's Supper and Examination

I Corinthians 11:27-32

27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

Message: The Lord's Supper and Examination

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church.

What the Lord is Saying: In thinking and studying about the Lord's Supper, it seems that there is more to this observance or sacrament than meets the eye. I think we are tempted to think this is simply a duty and a duty that must be done to stay in good standing with God and the Church. But after further study, it is way more than this. Yes, it is about remembrance. But it is also about being united with Christ. Jesus desired to have this time with us and so He is with us in this time. God redeemed His people and this needs to be celebrated. It is also a means to proclaim what Christ has done and so in a way it is evangelistic. And yet there seems to be a supernatural meaning, like I studied last time, that by taking this I am feeding on Christ. Jesus is the Bread of Life, meaning He is my everything and when I am with Christ in this observance, I am receiving everything I need. 

The idea that there is more to this sacrament than meets the eye can be inferred in today's passage when Paul states that the Lord's supper needs to be done after self-examination for when it isn't done in this way then judgment happens to a person. Verse 30 states, "For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep." 

A quick example of this is found in Genesis 3:14 when "The Lord God said to the serpent, because you have done this, cursed are you..." Our actions can bring about a curse and so we do need to be careful about how the Lord's Supper occurs in our lives. 

In 1 Corinthians 11, starting in verse 17, Paul mentions hearing about divisions among people in the church and he says therefore that when they meet with these divisions, they are not to eat the Lord's Supper. And then in verse 27, remarks that taking of this must be done not "in an unworthy manner." There is consideration that must be made to our brother. This isn't a meal to fill hunger and Paul infers this by saying, "If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home (verse 34)." Thus, eating this is different. It is different than having a meal or eating food. And he mentions we need to "judge the body rightly." This is something to observe that commemorates what Christ has done for us on the cross in saving us, in redeeming mankind, in redeeming Me. Since I have been alive, churches have mentioned that therefore this is a sacrament that only the Saved are to take and receive. The unrepentant and un-regenerated sinner should not take this because they are not yet remembering a change of heart. And this should be done to remember that and to celebrate in our union with Christ. 

Thus, when we come to the Lord's table, we or "a man must examine himself." We need to be careful to state this Supper as ascribing only to Jesus. We use words to describe it and each person needs to be in prayer in not only thanking God but confessing that they are rightly receiving it and are changed because of Christ in their life. 

I am encouraged often in the Bible that I need to be careful. We need to be careful of our actions. We are to consider our ways. The world preaches this mantra of following one's heart and just doing what we want, but God tells us and reminds us that we need to be careful (Luke 8:18; Proverbs 13:3; Mark 4:24; Proverbs 4:23; Deuteronomy 8:11). 

Summary: In coming to have the Lord's Supper, examine oneself, treat this meal as different from other meals and if there is a problem, don't partake of it till it is cleared up. 

Promise: If we come to the Lord's Table confessing our sin and repenting for it, we may freely partake of the bread and wine.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping me see the importance of the Lord's Supper. It is not to be taken in a casual manner. It is a serious occasion to examine myself, but it is also a celebration that signifies my new life in Christ and what you have done for me; done that which I could not do on my own. So help me to encourage this, to encourage this in my life and others. Let it bring You glory and be done always for the right reason. Guard people in this in churches and throughout our land and world so that You are always honored Lord and Praise. 

John 6:22-59 - The Lord's Supper and Feeding on Christ

John 6:22-59 

54 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. 55 For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.

Message: The Lord's Supper and Feeding on Christ

Time: Throughout church history, Christians have consistently attributed this gospel to Jesus' disciple John, the brother of James, the son of Zebedee. John was one of the inner circle of Jesus' most trusted companions. It's most likely that John wrote his gospel while he was in Ephesus, and that he wrote it for an audience that lived outside Palestine, perhaps in Asia Minor. John appears to have had in mind members of a Jewish community who had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, but who had continued to worship in the synagogue. John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing he was to confirm the belief that Jesus was both the Christ and the Son of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Jesus repeatedly in this passage speaks, "I am the bread of life." In verse 51 he says, "I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread also which I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh." These are strong words Jesus is proclaiming. Immediately I think of that Islam man I spoke to and how they only accept the book of Matthew. Naturally, they don't accept this text because it is so clear that we must surrender to Jesus and He is the only means to eternal life. 

These words Jesus is speaking were probably before any mention of the Lord's Supper. I would think there may be different interpretations of this text and its full meaning. 

Today's passage speaks of rather striking verses from Jesus. He says we are to eat His Flesh and drink His blood. Roman Catholics and Lutherans believe the bread and cup become the actual flesh of Jesus while Reformers do not believe Jesus' body can be present in more than one place at a time. 

So for me in reading this passage, I do believe Jesus is using these words to help us understand in a more physical and tangible manner the meaning of being joined with Him. As I read the Old Testament, there is much mention on duty. I know God wans His followers to trust Him and be surrendered before Him, but Jesus seems to take it a step further and speaks of a union with Christ we are to have. Jesus comes to earth all God. And he wants us to fully embrace Him with all of us. It is more than outward obedience but inner obedience and a complete life of surrender. God is not someone we simply hang on the wall, but we take Him in. He makes it clear to us, "I am the bread of life."  I am not simply a part of life for you, but I am what you need at every moment of each day. 

Bread and drink is something we need to survive. Jesus is saying you need Him to survive. True life is found in Him. And yes perhaps latter when he institutes the Lord's Supper this passage will bring greater meaning to us. So that as we take the bread and cup we are reminded of Him redeeming us and that we need Jesus not simply at a moment in our life but at every moment. We need Him throughout the day. As my body cramps and looks forward to food. I am to look forward to my time with Jesus. I am to desire that time with Him. He is my sustenance. 

I will be honest in saying I do not think I comprehend this yet. I do enjoy my moments with Him as I do enjoy my moments with my kids, friends, and Pamela so much. May I yearn for Him in an even greater way. Like the man sitting down on the floor as I walked in Heights as a young boy going to Potluck dinner and he was there looking at his Bible and singing with Joy in his Soul. He has always stuck in my mind for maybe for the first time I saw someone completely surrendered and in love with Jesus. And it struck me. 

Summary: Jesus is the Bread of Life. Like bread and wine (drink) I need to want him every moment of every day and I need Him to nourish me. 

Promise: When we take the supper in faith, we are communing with Christ and marked as those who will inherit eternal life. 

Prayer: O God, you are great. I thank you for these words from John and the great meaning of You being our sustenance and for me to be the same as food that I need each day many times during the day. You are my food and my bread and my drink. You have bore my sin and secured me with you forever in eternity. May I keep remembering this and as I take the Lord's Supper may it be an extra bit of joy and time of celebration as to what You have done for me. 

I Corinthians 11:26 - The Lord's Supper and Proclamation

I Corinthians 11:26 - For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. 

Message: The Lord's Supper and Proclamation

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church.

What the Lord is Saying: In the last lesson I admitted in my prayer a struggle I have with the Lord's Supper. It is a sacrament I do but as I do it I suppose the motion of going through it often is not a celebration or perhaps for me I don't look forward to it like I think I should. Maybe I struggle with celebrations. Birthday's were special growing up and at times they can be a very special gathering of people. Christmas can be tough because it is so saturated in gift giving which isn't a bad thing, but just seems not what that day is to be about. And yet going to a Christmas Eve service or even church on Christmas sometimes in itself is a struggle. What I enjoy instead is the opportunity to be with people. And yet there is more to it than that. 

Today's passage mentions a purpose with the Lord's supper that I do not think I have ever considered and that is by practicing it I am proclaiming the Lord's death or proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and what He has done for us. Thus, in practicing the Lord's supper it is the same as sharing Christ with someone or going witnessing. It is a time for me also to testify all that God has done for me. I think in the spirit of remembrance which it also communicates I very often think it is only a time of reflection and thankfulness to God for what He has done. That definitely is a part of it, but it is also about proclaiming Christ. 

And so just as the Gospel is to be preached continually by me, the Lord's Supper is to practiced regularly by me as well. Jesus wants us to do it regularly because our testimony of Him should be often as well. However, it seems that each person or church body decides what regular means. Some think regular is weekly, some monthly, some quarterly. I don't believe the frequency is important and yet a church can decide it is important. In proclaiming His death I am proclaiming that His death has benefited me. 

This passage today is during a message about the Lord's Supper and its meaning. Jesus state, "This is My body, which is for you, do this in remembrance of Me." And "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." Thus, there is a special message here that sets apart this particular bread and cup from all others. It represents Jesus' body that is broken for us when he was pierced in His hands and feet and side. He took the punishment for our sin. We did nothing to earn this, He did everything to pay for it. And also the wine depicts His blood that was poured out for us from His wounds suffered on the cross. Like the bitterness of the wine is the bitterness of God's wrath Jesus bore on the cross. 

Summary: When I practice the Lord's Supper I am proclaiming Christ and what He has done for me in breaking His body and pouring out His blood to save me. 

Promise: The supper is to proclaim the death of Christ and so it is for those that profess faith in Him. We take the supper seriously because we take Christ and His death seriously. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for continuing to bring richness to Your Word and to my application of it. You know I have struggled with the Lord's Supper and thank you for this message and showing me it is also a time to proclaim You and what You have done on the cross for me, in dying for me and rescuing me for all eternity. Help me to take this with me as I observe the Lord's Supper. Help me to always take the practice of it seriously. 

Exodus 12 - The Lord's Supper as Remembrance

Exodus 12 - 7 Moreover they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it...11d you shall eat it in haste--it is the Lord's Passover...13b and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt...14 Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance. 

Message: The Lord's Supper as Remembrance

Time: Moses is the most likely author of this book. His education and early tradition make him the likely author and it says in Exodus 24:4 that he wrote what the Lord said. The title Exodus means departure of Israel from Egypt by the hand of God. The book covers 80 years, from 1526 to 1446 with the events at Mount Sinai. God fulfilling promises and his story of redemption are the central ideas.

What the Lord is Saying: John Calvin said, "The new covenant does not destroy the old in substance, but only in form." In today's lesson, we remember the Passover and we also see how the Lord's Supper is linked to it. We previously saw with the sacrament of baptism a link between it and circumcision. Thus, these sacraments differ in their administration, but their substance is the same. Baptism, like circumcision, points to regeneration while the Lord's Supper, like the Passover, points to redemption. 

As I have stated before and believe--God's redemption of His people does not change throughout history. One of the reasons I reject the claim that many today make that baptism is needed for salvation is I don't agree that salvation changes. The Bible has always pointed or looked forward to Jesus and His sacrifice. John 8:56 is an interesting verse by Jesus in which He says, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." Jesus even follows this up by saying, "Before Abraham was born, I am." Whoa! Jesus here is engaging with people about the relationship between Himself, God and Abraham, showing that He was promised by Abraham. And Abraham saw the future. And now today, as we live past Bible times, we look back to Jesus and His sacrifice. 

Before Christ and His final atonement there was the sacrifice of animals offering done to atone for sin. It was regular but through blood--sin was covered. In Christ, the perfect sacrifice, atonement is permanent, once for all (Hebrews 7:27). And Hebrews also records 10:18, "Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin." Jesus has forgiven sin once and for all. 

The text today refers to the old testament sacrament of atonement and redemption. The blood from an animal - a lamb - was placed on doorposts to signify that those within those walls would not receive judgement for their sin. God judged those in the land of Egypt, as Pharoah led these people to reject God. Blood in essence forgave people of their sin. I think this is important because sin was similar or the same in these people. But one was saved and the other not. This is also a sobering truth. For God does not save all. Some will reject Him and some will turn from God and His ways. All of the onus is  on God for what is occurring - saving some, not saving others. God is choosing. People may not like this. They make it think it unfair. So I think what man does then is set up a system of religion that is instead based upon the faithfulness or good deeds of a person. At least that is my thinking. Man has this desire to put the credit on himself. We like that plan. Our world works in this manner so we want things with God to work the same way. 

And yet does our world work this way? I often wonder why some people have good paying jobs while others do not. I mean God has granted me with gifts and I have utilized them and grown through the ranks to achieve what I have, getting paid in the process. I look at people that play sports or sing songs and the world pays them in huge riches. We are all different, each with different gifts. Not all of us can rise to this level so isn't all of life lived in God's sovereignty. Is He not in control of everything? And yet each person still has accountability to their lives. I think of people dealing drugs, trafficking women, abusing innocent people -- are these people under God's control as well. I've been reading Jeremiah and God uses Babylon as His instrument to judge others. Horrible things occur to nations. I'm sure somewhat innocent people are saved while others are redeemed. 

But again for this lesson, in reviewing the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Sacraments, as I have seen are about remembrance of an event already that has occurred. The Passover was celebrated to remember God redeeming His people. The Lord's Supper therefore also is now celebrated, after Jesus paid for sin, forgiven sin, to remember that He has redeemed us. It was instituted prior to Him fully redeeming us. And yet for us now, we practice it after Jesus has fully redeemed us. 

Summary: The Passover remembered God saving the people of Israel from Egyptian bondage. The Lord's Supper remembers Jesus saving us all from eternal damnation because of our great rebellion to God. 

Promise: As we take the supper, let us remember that because Christ paid the price for us, we owe Him everything that we are. 

Prayer: O God, you are great. You are powerful. You are in charge. You have redeemed mankind and redeemed me. You have placed your Spirit in me so that I will know and worship You and make you known throughout this world, living as your vessel to encourage others in the same way. You have chosen me for this time. Each day is a gift from You. Each moment. I look at my wife and am amazed at the gift you have given to me in her. The joy of being with her. And thankful also for people you have placed in my life. Everyday is a celebration of your providence. Lord, you gave us the Lord's Supper a gift to come together and celebrate your great love for us in redeeming us not simply for a moment but for an eternity. Lord, would you help that observance time for me to be a sweet joy and a sweet time of remembering. Plant in that time I take the cup and the bread the realization that without You I am nothing. Lord, I think you know I seem to struggle with that time. I know it is needed and I want to do it, but often I miss or don't feel its connection or treat it as a celebration. Maybe I am a person that struggles with those type of events and yet simply enjoy the moment my moment of living with You as my Savior and Redeemer. I am not sure, but I do thank you for this time to spend in Your word and reflect on You and what You have done for me. I still don't know why I am so blessed. 

Luke 22:14-20 - The Lord's Supper Commanded

Luke 22:14-20 - 14 When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And when He had taken some bread and 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.” 20 And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood."

Message: The Lord's Supper Commanded

Time: The Gospel according to Luke was probably the last Synoptic Gospel to be written, thus penned around 60 AD. The words salvation are in Luke, though not in Matthew and Mark. Luke, a gentile physician, wrote more than any other NT writer, writing primarily of redemptive history.

What the Lord is Saying: The other sacrament that the Reformers ask us to practice is the Lord's Supper. In this passage - Luke 22 - Jesus builds a bridge between the Passover and the Lord's Supper much in the same way that Paul showed a bridge between circumcision and baptism. Thus, part of understanding the Lord's Supper is understanding the Passover, which most Jews of that day understood, but I admit I need reminders and so I will look a this meaning further in future lessons. 

Verse 15 of the text today mentions that Jesus earnestly desired to have this Passover meal with his disciples. To me it conveys much of the mission of Jesus and that was to have a relationship with people and to impart to them the truth of Gospel, desiring for all people to be saved. Jesus is on a journey that he knows and that others will understand soon enough. He has mentioned his death several times prior and before he dies he has a great desire to spend this time with his disciples. Perhaps in a way it also communicates the importance of this gathering. We are to be a people that gather's together in community often and Jesus understands this and wants this for Him and for us. Jesus is on a mission to preach the Gospel but also to show people the Love of God. He wants to be with us. 

For Jesus, in these passages, are remarks that this is His Last Supper. The Kingdom of God is coming. This again being the salvation of God's people. His sacrifice on the cross. It is coming. He speaks of the signs of His sacrifice, His body, and His blood - bread and drink.

As with baptism, with the Lord's Supper. there seems to be more there than meets the eye. Meaning, what we see happening and what we are practicing seems to have a bigger meeting than simply having water over us or taking bread and wine. A connection is taking place between us and Jesus. Water cleanses us. Jesus cleanses us. Bread and wine nourish us. Jesus will provide for us his love and sacrifice. In baptism there is a union with Christ. In the Lord's Supper there is also a union but also an important remembrance of his body and blood sacrifice. 

Summary: The Lord's Supper has significance in light of the Passover. We are united with Christ and remember His Body and Blood Sacrifice. 

Promise: As we partake of the Lord's Supper, we should think on what the elements represent and ask the Lord to make us grateful for saving us. 

Prayer: God, you instituted these observances because of Your great love for us, for me. Too often Lord I gloss over them or do them without much thought. Yet, Lord, there is deep significance in their practice and so help me Lord to take them more seriously and help me to be more grateful in remembering the great sacrifice you made for me. I love Your truth, but I admit at times I don't celebrate it like I know I should. I thank You for the relationship You want with Me and I want that with others and to continue to rediscover You. Give meaning to me as I study these words in the coming days about this sacrament. 

Ephesians 4:5 - One Baptism

Ephesians 4:5 - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism

Message: One Baptism

Time: Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians sometime in AD 60–61, around the same time he wrote Colossians and Philemon. Ephesians deals with topics at the core of being a Christian - faith and practice, no matter the situation.

What the Lord is Saying: This lesson ends 8 lessons on the sacrament of baptism. I conclude so far that baptism is not salvific. It remains a sign of the covenant God made with His people to be separate and distinct from all of the people on the earth. The practice of it is required for every believer in Christ. I don't believe it is something that we can simply make an option, and it needs to be done soon after trusting in Christ as Savior and Lord or repenting of our sins. Because it is no salvific I think it can be done at any time in a person's life. Believing parents can have their children do this as a sign again of God's covenant and the father commissioning his family to serve the Lord. Peter did mention baptism for the remission of sins but I think this is a confirmation of that act that Jesus did on the cross and I do not think baptism saves a person from their sins. I think the act of baptism is very powerful and unites us with Christ and his death and resurrection. It provides the believer in Christ clear meaning of God regenerating His people for Himself and choosing them to be His. It is Spirit that purifies us but it is the act of baptism which also confirms this work of the Spirit. 

Today's verse remembers the oneness meaning that we have and the Unity which we possess. When Paul addresses unity to the Ephesians he remarks on:

One Body and One Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4:4-6). 

It is noteworthy that baptism is included here. The words expressed here speak of unity. But they also speak of singularity. We do not have multiple bodies, but one. There are not multiple Spirits, but one. Our calling is by God and does not occur multiple times in regards to our salvation. And so does baptism occur multiple times? 

Tabletalk tells a story example of this and gives the idea that it is a one time thing as multiple baptisms give the idea of regeneration or salvation occurring multiple times. This is confirmed in the Westminster Confession of Faith. The idea is baptism is about God and not for man necessarily and its validity is not after a profession of faith. 

I guess I don't mirror this stance. I think it can be once, but if the person feels like it is needed again, then this seems fine. Perhaps a pastor needs to share from the pulpit a message so as to not bring about confusion. Salvation is once. 

Summary: We are united with Christ in baptism. Baptism presents a picture of unity and I believe as a command it can be more than once if the person sees a value in this. 

Promise: Salvation is entirely by God's grace. Water baptism does not regenerate us. But it provides a powerful picture of this and it is something we do out of obedience. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for teaching me through Your Word and helping me understand you better. I continue to define my faith and beliefs. Thank you for that process to learn. I pray that baptism will always glorify You and help us understand further you setting us aside. Help people in my life, in my family better understand the importance of this practice. Specifically, I pray for Brandon that you would help him see the need to be baptized.