"The Bible clearly makes a distinction between baptism with water, and baptism with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). We know that we live in God when we receive the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:13). Isn't living in God enough to take communion? 1 Corinthians doesn't mention anything about baptism in the Lord's Supper, only that we examine ourselves to see if we're living in God. Why then is our church drawing such a connection between baptism with water and the Holy Spirit?"
The last thing our church wants to do is be legalistic about this matter. Technically, we will not stop anyone from taking communion whether they are baptized or not. However, the reason why we ask that baptized believers take communion is because Lord's Supper must be taken very seriously.
Baptism is a way for believers to make a public commitment that they have indeed received Christ as Savior and Lord. That's why we encourage and tell believers to be baptized. And that's why we ask that only baptized believers take the communion. It's not because we are making a connection between water baptism and baptism of the Spirit. It's because it's the most definitive way for believers to show they are truly living with God. I have been approached by students asking whether they can take the communion because they are hungry or because they want to taste the elements for fun! At our church, when you want to get baptized, we ask that you attend a 3-month class (in addition to a special class on baptism) so that we can clear up any such misconceptions and misunderstandings. Once you understand the importance and reason why you - as a Christian - ought to be baptized to proclaim your faith to the world, then the natural step is to participate in communion, a time when we remember the Lord's sacrificial death for us.
[Answered by Pastor HM]
