And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
What the Bible Says About Communion
The Lord's Supper, also called communion, was instituted by Jesus on the night before His crucifixion. During the Passover meal with His disciples, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and told them that it represented His body which would be broken for them. He then took the cup and said it represented the new covenant in His blood. He commanded them to continue this practice in remembrance of Him.
Communion is fundamentally an act of remembrance. In a world that quickly forgets, the Lord's Supper forces believers to stop and remember the most important event in human history: the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sins of the world. The bread recalls His broken body; the cup recalls His shed blood. Each time believers participate, they proclaim the Lord's death until He returns.
Paul also teaches that communion is an act of fellowship and unity. First Corinthians 10:16-17 describes the shared cup and bread as a participation in the body and blood of Christ, uniting all believers as one body. The Lord's Supper is not an individual act but a communal one, reminding believers that they are connected to Christ and to each other through His sacrifice.
Paul issued a serious warning about taking communion in an unworthy manner. First Corinthians 11:27-29 instructs believers to examine themselves before eating and drinking, lest they bring judgment upon themselves. This does not mean that only perfect people can take communion, but that participants should approach it with reverence, self-examination, and a clear conscience. Communion is a sacred act that demands honesty before God.
Key Bible Verses
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:24-25
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
— Luke 22:19
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”
— 1 Corinthians 10:16
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:26
Practical Application
- Approach communion with reverence and self-examination, confessing any known sin before participating.
- Use the Lord's Supper as an opportunity to remember and give thanks for Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
- Participate in communion regularly with your church community, recognizing it as both a personal and corporate act of worship.
- Explain the meaning of communion to your children, helping them understand the significance of the bread and the cup.
- Allow communion to deepen your appreciation for the new covenant and the grace that flows from Christ's shed blood.
Family Discussion & Activity
Discussion Questions
- ? Why did Jesus choose a meal as the way for His followers to remember Him?
- ? What do the bread and the cup represent, and why are those symbols meaningful?
- ? What does it mean to take communion in an unworthy manner, and how can we prepare our hearts?
- ? How does sharing communion together help unite believers as one body?
Family Activity
This week, look for examples of communion in your daily lives. Share one example at dinner each night and talk about how the Bible's teachings on communion can guide your family.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should Christians take communion?
The Bible does not prescribe a specific frequency. Jesus said to do this as often as you drink it (1 Corinthians 11:25), and Acts 2:42 describes the early church as continuing steadfastly in the breaking of bread. Some churches observe communion weekly, others monthly, and others quarterly. The important thing is that it is practiced regularly and reverently.
What does examine yourself mean in relation to communion?
In 1 Corinthians 11:28, Paul instructs believers to examine themselves before taking communion. This means honestly assessing your relationship with God and others, confessing known sin, and approaching the table with a reverent heart. It is not a call to achieve perfection before participating but a call to approach with sincerity and a clear conscience.
Can children take communion?
Christian traditions vary on this practice. Some allow children who have made a profession of faith to participate, while others wait until a specific age or confirmation. The key biblical principle is that a person should be able to understand the meaning of communion and examine themselves (1 Corinthians 11:28). Parents should discuss this with their church leadership and guide their children accordingly.
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