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Statement on Communion:
Understanding what Jesus said and did that made this such a special sacrament.
In many churches Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. The church gathers together in worship, and fellowship, celebrating communion. Why? Is it some repetitious tradition that has become a meaningless over the years? Or is it a significant practice, observed for the "building up of the body of Christ?" Not sure? Don’t feel bad, you're not alone. A recent survey showed that most Christians aren’t quite sure about this practice handed down from Jesus to the Church.
What Is Communion?
Communion is a celebration instituted by Jesus at the 'Last Supper', that was the meal Jesus ate with His disciples before His betrayal by Judas and His crucifixion. Below we go into more detail as to why we celebrate this communion meal in the 21st Century. Here let us look at the 'what' of communion. The communion meal is divided into two sections; the eating of the BREAD and the drinking of the CUP.
The Bread:
Commonly plain crackers (like oyster crackers) are used although a lot of churches use unleavened crackers and some use wafers. The bread itself is not special it is the meaning the bread symbolizes. The bread is symbolic of the body of Christ broken for the forgiveness of our sins, so that we might fellowship with God Himself! Typically in a church the Pastor will pray, read the appropriate scripture about communion and then have the church Elders pass out plates with the crackers to the people. The people hold onto the bread until all are served and then eat it together. It is not a meal in the sense of filling to hunger, but a communing with God for His love.
The Cup:
Although many Catholic and other churches use real wine, we use grape juice as a symbol of the first fruit of the vine. The cup represents the blood that was willingly shed from Jesus' body for the cleansing of sin. In churches, the Pastor will again pray, read and comment on scripture relating to Christ's sacrifice; and then the Elders will serve the people once again. The people wait until all have been served, and then drink together. Again the cup of grape juice is too small to satisfy your thirst but symbolizes the satisfying of your spiritual need for refreshment.
Why Do We Celebrate Communion?
1 Corinthians 11:23-27 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; (24) and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (25) In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." (26) For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. (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.
1) We celebrate communion as an act of submission to God.
(verse 23)For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread
2) We celebrate communion in commemoration of what God has done.
(verse 24 - 25)and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." In the same way He took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
3) We celebrate communion as a proclamation of Christ's sacrifice.
(verse26)For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
4) We celebrate communion in anticipation of Christ's return.
(verse26)For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Communion a special observance reserved for those who accept the life made available to them through the blood of Jesus. It includes submission to the Lord’s command; commemoration of the atoning act of Jesus; a proclamation of faith; and a statement of the anticipation of the return of Christ to finalize His redeeming work.
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