WOW... I'd almost read that as authoritative or condescending.
But in response. I don't like the word Duty. It sounds like just another hoop to earn our way in, but I can't think of a better word, 14-1/2 hours at work and I'm running on impulse.
Actually maybe duty is the right word. Baptism has NO bearing on salvation, BUT it is a command given to the disciples to perform on one who has converted. So, yes, it is a duty. One should be baptized to honor and obey Christ. It is an outward and public declaration of making Christ Lord of our lives. If one isn't willing to publicly profess Christ, through baptism, what is the "faith" one has? Also, baptism is such a simple command, if one isn't willing to obey such a simple command, is Christ truly LORD?
So yeah duty fits.
Communion-Is it a duty? Following what I said of baptism, YES! Communion is to be a regular happening in a believers life. Its a humbling experience for the believer, for we are not to partake unworthily. So it humbles us to reflect on our lives before we partake. It also brings us to reverence to what Christ has done. We are humbled he is revered. Then we partake, we share in what Christ has done for us. We are identifying with his broken body and spilled blood.
Thank you. I addressed my question to a poster who had written about the gospel message of Paul and its difference from the gospel preached at Pentecost. I am still awaiting the answer from that poster.
According to what I have read about the “mid Acts dispensation” Baptism” and the “Lord’s Supper” are not for the Church.