Communion Passages: A Comprehensive Guide

Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, is a central sacrament in Christianity. It represents the remembrance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice and the partaking of his body and blood. There are numerous passages in the Bible that describe and explain the significance of communion.

Old Testament Antecedent

The concept of communion has its roots in the Old Testament. The Passover meal, as described in Exodus 12, prefigured the communion. The Israelites sacrificed a lamb and ate its flesh and blood as a symbol of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

New Testament Institution

The institution of communion is recorded in the New Testament Gospels (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20, John 6:53-58). Jesus introduced communion during the Last Supper with his disciples. He took bread, blessed it, and said, "This is my body." He then took a cup of wine, blessed it, and said, "This is my blood of the covenant."

Significance of Communion

Communion has several significant meanings in Christian theology:

• Remembering Jesus' Sacrifice: Communion serves as a memorial of Jesus' death on the cross, where he shed his blood for the forgiveness of sins.
• Partaking of Jesus' Body and Blood: Christians believe that when they take communion, they are symbolically partaking of Jesus' body and blood. This act represents a spiritual union with Christ.
• Unity and Fellowship: Communion fosters a sense of unity and fellowship among believers. As they share the same bread and wine, they recognize their common bond in Christ.
• Anticipation of Christ's Return: Communion is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that Christians will share with Jesus at his second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Frequency of Communion

The frequency of communion varies among different Christian denominations. Some churches practice weekly communion, while others observe it less frequently. The Bible does not explicitly specify how often communion should be taken.

Preparation and Administration

Proper preparation for communion involves self-examination, confession of sins, and repentance. The sacrament is typically administered by a pastor or elder of the church. Participants receive bread and wine or grape juice, which represent the body and blood of Christ.

Symbolism and Interpretation

The bread and wine used in communion have symbolic meanings. The bread represents Jesus' body, which was broken for our sins. The wine represents his blood, which was shed for our redemption.

Different Christian traditions interpret communion differently. Some view it as a symbolic representation of Christ's sacrifice, while others believe it is an actual transubstantiation, where the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ.