The concept of communion with God is central to Christian theology and practice, particularly as it is expressed in the observance of the Lord's Supper. This sacred rite, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, is a profound means by which believers experience a spiritual union with Christ and with one another. It is a time of remembrance, thanksgiving, and fellowship, rooted deeply in the teachings of Scripture.

Biblical Foundation

The Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper with His disciples, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and the writings of the Apostle Paul. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 , Paul recounts the words of Jesus: "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, 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, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes."

Spiritual Significance

The Lord's Supper is a means of grace, a channel through which believers receive spiritual nourishment and strength. It is a time for self-examination, repentance, and renewal of faith. In partaking of the bread and the cup, Christians are reminded of the sacrificial death of Christ and the new covenant established through His blood. This act of remembrance is not merely a mental exercise but a spiritual participation in the body and blood of Christ, as Paul emphasizes in 1 Corinthians 10:16 : "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?"

Communion with God and the Church

The Lord's Supper is both a personal and communal experience. Individually, believers are drawn into a deeper relationship with God, experiencing His presence and grace. Corporately, the act of communion unites the body of Christ, the Church, as one. In 1 Corinthians 10:17 , Paul writes, "Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf." This unity reflects the communal nature of the Christian faith, where believers are called to love and serve one another as members of the same body.

A Foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet

The Lord's Supper also serves as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits believers in the kingdom of God. It is an anticipation of the marriage supper of the Lamb, as described in Revelation 19:9 : "Then the angel told me to write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" This eschatological dimension of the Lord's Supper points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the eternal communion that believers will enjoy with Him.

In summary, the Lord's Supper is a vital practice for the saints, providing a unique opportunity for communion with God. It is a time of remembrance, proclamation, and anticipation, drawing believers into a deeper relationship with Christ and with one another. Through this sacred ordinance, Christians are reminded of the profound mystery of faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again.1 Corinthians 10:16
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?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Communion of Saints.
... now concluded, from the teaching of Holy Scripture, that "The Communion of Saints"
is that ... which Christians enjoy, through being made one with God, and with ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter x the communion of.htm

The Lord's Supper
... the holy elements of bread and wine, our communion with Christ ... We must have love
to all; but to the saints, who are ... to another, and as an angel of God to him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 5 the lords supper.htm

The Presbyterian Church of England.
... of God, the upbuilding of the saints, and the ... not lightly to separate themselves
from its communion, but are ... be devoutly studied by all as God's written Word ...
/.../the presbyterian church of england.htm

Christ and his Table-Companions "And when the Hour was Come, He ...
... I thank God that, coming to this table every Sabbath ... the most part enjoyed the nearest
communion with Christ ... be inferred from it the equality of all the saints. ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/christ and his table-companions and.htm

The Ten Commandments of God.
... ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father ... in the Holy
Ghost, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/the ten commandments of god.htm

A Question for Communicants
... as well as the communion of the saints with Christ. ... the table, that I am going to
have communion, not only ... of one body of Christians"would to God, there were ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a question for communicants.htm

'The Whole Family'
... thought that believers struggling here and saints and angels glorious above 'but
one communion make,' and ... it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God,' and by ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the whole family.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... This the saints of God have felt when called to ... At that holy communion each believer
swears individually to ... to perform certain requirements of God's law should ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood ...
... as by this the soul must have fellowship with God, so also, so far as all the saints
are partakers ... saith, The bread which we break is the communion of the ...
/.../proposition xiii concerning the communion.htm

Sanctification.
... the Holy Christian Church (which is) the communion"or community ... martyrs, reformers
and the most eminent saints of all ... In the chapter on the Word of God as a ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xxii sanctification.htm

Is it acceptable to have communion outside of the church? | GotQuestions.org

Why is there so much disagreement about holy communion? | GotQuestions.org

What does "communion of the saints" mean in the ancient creeds? | GotQuestions.org

Communion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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