Communing, in the biblical context, refers to the act of sharing intimate fellowship and communication with God and fellow believers. It is a spiritual practice that encompasses prayer, meditation, and the sharing of the Lord's Supper, also known as Communion. This practice is deeply rooted in Scripture and is essential for nurturing one's relationship with God and the body of Christ.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of communing with God is evident throughout the Old Testament. In Genesis 5:24, Enoch is described as having "walked with God," indicating a life of close fellowship. Similarly, Moses' encounters with God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20) exemplify direct communication and communion with the Divine. The Psalms frequently highlight the importance of seeking God's presence, as seen in Psalm 27:8 : "My heart said, 'Seek His face.' Your face, O LORD, I will seek."

New Testament Practice

In the New Testament, communing takes on a more defined form through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus often withdrew to solitary places to pray and commune with the Father (Luke 5:16). He taught His disciples to pray, providing them with the Lord's Prayer as a model (Matthew 6:9-13). This prayer emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with God's will and seeking His provision and forgiveness.

The practice of Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is a central act of communing in the New Testament. Instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper, it is a sacrament that commemorates His sacrifice and fosters unity among believers. In 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 , Paul recounts Jesus' words: "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me... This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."

Communing in the Early Church

The early church devoted itself to communal activities that fostered spiritual growth and unity. Acts 2:42 states, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." This verse highlights the integral role of communing in the life of the early Christian community, emphasizing teaching, fellowship, and the Lord's Supper as key components.

Spiritual Significance

Communing with God is vital for spiritual nourishment and growth. It allows believers to draw near to God, receive His guidance, and experience His peace. James 4:8 encourages believers, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." This promise underscores the reciprocal nature of communing, where seeking God results in a deeper experience of His presence.

Communing with Fellow Believers

In addition to personal communion with God, the Bible emphasizes the importance of communing with fellow believers. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts Christians to "spur one another on to love and good deeds" and to "not neglect meeting together." This communal aspect strengthens the body of Christ, fostering love, accountability, and mutual encouragement.

Conclusion

Communing, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted practice that encompasses personal and communal aspects of the Christian faith. It is a means of drawing closer to God, remembering Christ's sacrifice, and building up the church. Through prayer, meditation, and the Lord's Supper, believers are invited to experience the profound depth of fellowship with their Creator and with one another.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Commune.1798. enupnion -- a dream
... The Christian therefore should , open to communing with God all through
the night to receive strength and illumination from Him. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1798.htm - 7k

The Appearance to Lot is Examined.
... What, then, does that mean which Scripture goes on to say, "And the Lord went His
way, as soon as He had left communing with Abraham; and Abraham returned to ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 12 the appearance to lot.htm

The Mediator --The Interpreter
... Our first head is this: the Lord has ways of communing with His people which fill
them with fear; but, secondly, this endears the Mediator to them; and thirdly ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/the mediatorthe interpreter.htm

How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished.
... i.5). Let them hear what is again affirmed by the witness of Scripture,
His communing is with the simple (Proverbs 3:32). For God's ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xi how the simple.htm

Communion with Christ and his People.
... We have many ways of communing the one with the other, but there is no way of mutual
communing like the common reception of the same Christ in the same way. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/communion with christ and his.htm

Smith -- Assurance in God
... He was communing with God, who had made his brain and used it as an instrument
of revelation. In these thoughts God was communing ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/smith assurance in god.htm

The Twofold Testimony of John - the First Sabbath of Jesus's ...
... been the mightiest impulse; nay, it must have been a direct call from above, which
first brought John from his life-preparation of lonely communing with God to ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the twofold testimony.htm

Canticles 4:12 the Lord's Garden.
... Christ. To be ever looking on Him, feeding on Him, communing with Him,"this
is the hidden spring of the life of God in man's soul. ...
/.../chapter xv canticles 4 12 the.htm

Jesus Only
... "Jesus only," as the common Jesus, the Christ of every day, the man walking among
men, communing in secret with his disciples, is a better thing for a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/jesus only.htm

The Privilege of Prayer
... Our minds may be drawn out toward Him; we may meditate upon His works, His mercies,
His blessings; but this is not, in the fullest sense, communing with Him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 11 the privilege of.htm

Jesus and his Secret Friends.
... We may suppose that Joseph had sought Jesus quietly, perhaps by night, receiving
instruction from him, communing with him, drinking in his spirit; but he had ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xii jesus and his.htm

Communing (2 Occurrences)
...Communing (2 Occurrences). Genesis 18:33 Yahweh went his way, as soon as he had
finished communing with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. ...
/c/communing.htm - 7k

Tables (41 Occurrences)
... Exodus 31:18 And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him
upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the ...
/t/tables.htm - 20k

Communications (2 Occurrences)

/c/communications.htm - 7k

Assiduous
... a-sid'-u-us: Occurs only in The Wisdom of Solomon 8:18 the Revised Version (British
and American), "In assiduous communing with her is understanding," ie "in ...
/a/assiduous.htm - 7k

Finished (157 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 18:33 Yahweh went his way, as soon as he had finished
communing with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. ...
/f/finished.htm - 36k

Communion (8 Occurrences)

/c/communion.htm - 30k

Returned (328 Occurrences)
... (DBY NIV). Genesis 18:33 Yahweh went his way, as soon as he had finished
communing with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. ...
/r/returned.htm - 34k

Home (270 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Genesis 18:33 Yahweh went his way, as soon as he had finished communing
with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. (See NIV). ...
/h/ - 36k

Home (270 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Genesis 18:33 Yahweh went his way, as soon as he had finished communing
with Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place. (See NIV). ...
/h/home.htm - 36k

What is spiritualism? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be a woman of God? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be born of the Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

Communing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus