Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, holds a place of profound significance within Christian worship. It is a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and further expounded upon by the Apostle Paul. The act of Communion is a solemn remembrance of Christ's sacrificial death and a proclamation of His resurrection and anticipated return.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of Communion is found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as well as in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. In Matthew 26:26-28 , Jesus takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to His disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is My body." He then takes the cup, gives thanks, and offers it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Paul provides further theological insight into the practice in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 , where he recounts the words of Jesus and emphasizes the importance of proclaiming the Lord's death until He comes. This passage underscores the dual nature of Communion as both a memorial and a forward-looking act of hope.

Theological Significance

Communion is a means of grace, a channel through which believers experience the presence of Christ and the unity of the body of believers. It is a time for self-examination and repentance, as Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 : "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."

This passage highlights the seriousness with which Communion should be approached. It is not a mere ritual but a sacred act that requires reverence and introspection. The warning against partaking in an "unworthy manner" serves as a call to genuine faith and repentance, ensuring that participants are in right standing with God and their fellow believers.

Communion and Church Discipline

The early church viewed Communion as integral to the life of the community, and it was often linked with church discipline. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul addresses a case of immorality within the church and instructs the believers to expel the unrepentant sinner. This action is connected to the purity of the church and the sanctity of the Lord's Table. The seriousness of Communion is thus intertwined with the call to holiness and the maintenance of doctrinal and moral integrity within the church.

Unity and Fellowship

Communion is also a powerful symbol of unity among believers. In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 , Paul writes, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." This imagery of one loaf and one cup signifies the oneness of the church, transcending individual differences and divisions.

Conclusion

The seriousness of Communion is rooted in its biblical foundation, theological significance, and role within the church. It is a sacred act that demands reverence, self-examination, and a commitment to unity and holiness. As believers partake in the Lord's Supper, they are reminded of Christ's sacrifice, their own need for repentance, and their shared identity as members of the body of Christ.