What is the Meaning of Holy Communion?
Communion is a holy time of worship when the Christian church family comes together as one to celebrate Christ and what he has done for us through sacrifice. Communion, often referred to as the Last Supper or the Lord’s Supper and sometimes, the Eucharist is one of two Holy Ordinances commissioned by Christ, and practiced in our faith. It is a manifestation of His love and the supreme sacrifice given to liberate us from sin.
The Bread and Wine
The bread represents His body and the wine represents His blood.
The gospel writers inform us that Jesus took bread, He blessed and broke
it. Notice, that which God takes, He breaks!! He then took the cup
which he requested His followers to “drink ye all of it”. There can be
no partial receiving of Christ in our lives; He demands that we receive all of Him.
Love In Action
As the body of Christ, we must always be careful not to allow this ordinance to become legalistic or ritualistic routine. But always remember that communion is: love in action!!
Why do Christians observe Communion?
Jesus Christ commanded us to obey his
teachings. In 1 Cor 11:24, He commanded us to "break the bread and
drink from the cup" in remembrance of Him. By observing this sacrament,
we are remembering Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and all He has
done for us (life, death, resurrection).
How do we prepare for Communion?
Before receiving the Sacrament of the
Holy Communion, you have to be saved (be delivered from sin and accept
Jesus Christ as your personal savior), you should also take time to
reflect and think back to the cross and remember what Jesus did for us
when He sacrificed his life and died in our place (1 Cor 11:28), that
is, be in a state of grace.
Terms for the sacrament of the Holy Communion
THE LORD'S TABLE: (1 Cor 10:21): This signifies fellowship by gathering together under one faith and sharing His body and blood.
THE LORD'S SUPPER:
(1 Cor 11:20): On the night before Christ¢s crucifixion, our Lord and
Savior shared a meal with His disciples by breaking bread to share with
them and sharing wine at the end of the supper (Luke 22:20; 1 Cor
11:25).
THE EUCHARIST: Means
"giving of thanks" in Greek (Mat 26:27; Luke 22:19, 1 Cor 11:24).
Christ gave thanks to God before breaking the bread and passing the
cup. This implies that Christians should regard the Communion service
as a special time to thank God for all He has done for us.
COMMUNION: Means "fellowship, participation, the sharing of a common life." The Holy Communion is when all believers share in and participate in fellowship (1 Cor 10:17).
THE BREAKING OF BREAD:
Jesus did this at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26) and commanded His
followers to continue doing this in His memory (Acts 2:42)