What is the point of taking Communion?

[JonC]

I have to say I agree with your post. Its my feeling that if Communion is to have some actual relevance then I feel that bringing it back to the way it is described in Scripture is the way it should be done.

Its been my experience and is my view that sharing a meal with other believers can in some cases have more spiritual signifigance than attending a church service. Sharing meals is done many times over in the New Testament and there are various references to members of the early church doing that. It seems to me interesting to ponder that in our modern churches we have a church service based around various rituals and traditions that we have created that become the way that 'church' is done and then perhaps on a monthly basis people might be able to stay back for a pot luck luncheon for fellowship. I wonder if we have in some way got this wrong and perhaps the church services should be the adjunct to the shared meal on a regular basis, not the current way?

Great topic. The “Lord’s Supper” or Communion (and perhaps even baptism) has, in my opinion, lost meaning to a degree in our churches. We know from Scripture what Communion is not – it is not a meal to satisfy our hunger (satisfy your hunger at home before coming together for Communion - 1 Cor 11:34); it is not a trivial matter – 1 Cor 11:27; and it is not a sacrament (1 Cor 11:26). The Supper is a proclamation (vs. 26), and I believe an affirmation of the New Covenant by the New Covenant people. It looks not only to Christ’s death, but the believer’s death “in Christ”.

I disagree that the Lord’s Supper is a communion in the context of a fellowship meal (having a meal with your family after church) but instead is an act of participation within the covenant of Christ. It is symbolic, but it is symbolic as a witness to our state in Christ. This is, I believe, why it is so serious a matter that people died for taking it in an unworthy manner.

 

[JonShaff]

I disagree. 'What! Do you not have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the Church of God......? (1 Corinthians 11:22).

Paul says it that way because they were eating IRREVERENTLY. It WAS about coming and fellowshipping together to eat "The Lord's Supper", but some were pigging out, others were drunk, some didn't wait on the poor to get there and get some helpings.

Paul was saying if you are going to act that way then just stay at home..."Don't you have homes to eat and drink in?"

 

[Rlee]

Just the fact that Jesus told us to is enough. The frequency, well, I guess that's left up to our individual church's leadership. Here's where my two cents comes in. A lot of Christians seem so busy in their individual lives that taking time to contemplate significance of this act has slipped away. Another and similar issue is contemplating and meditating on Scripture, which just becomes less of a norm and more of an obscure and/or corporate act. That being said, communion and Easter are two occasions where, at least on my part, inflection, self-examination, and a real sense of absorbing the amazing and unfathomable grace of God hit home. I heartily anticipate each and pray we all do.

 

[Billx]

In my humble opinion communion was not a new version of Passover's ritual. It was a gathering of close friends. Fruit of the vine and a product of grain. As Donald Trump said, I eat the cracker drink and the juice. An informal occasion bathed in sadness and loss. You can attach any ritual but what is in the cup is what it is. At the point saying it is blood and not wine is a giant step. The mystery is that people can be so beguiled. We keep it because Jesus told us to keep it as a preformative sign whereby the story of the shedding of blood for sins is demonstrated. It is called Eucharist because we are celebrating what Jesus has done for us in the offering himself for our new life. The manner of celebration should be done reverently and with a thankful heart. It is the Lord's and the basic requirement is profession of our salvation. Whoever will may come after examination to see if we are even in the faith. I remember a northern Baptist who had been a secty of the NCC offer communion in the form of coke and pizza! That is think is beyond Jesus' most wild expection. And that is probably, in the words of Paul Harvey, the end of the story.

 

[Billx]

His real presence is amongst the brethren not in the bread or grape juice/wine.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

HankD

are you saying we bring the Lord with us? How novel. Boy you have that right!

 

[Bob Farnaby]

For me communion/The Lord's Supper is about the fellowship of believers, sharing together, being one in Christ, being the church, remembering what Christ has done, looking forward to His return.

Currently the local church I'm art of does the little glasses and little bits of bread thing, does it monthly and at some special occasions. I've been in churches that do it differently, shared cup, break a bit of a loaf, even been part of a service the was based around a fellowship dinner and used the bread rolls and table wine. Been in places that did it every week, that did it quarterly, that did it only at church business meetings ...

Lots of variations, just as different people groups have different ways and traditions when it comes to eating.

The big reason for doing it -- Christ said to do it. We do need reminding so often of what He has done! And I think the why is far more important than the how.

 

[HankD]

are you saying we bring the Lord with us? How novel. Boy you have that right!

Indeed.

HankD

 

[Billx]

His real presence is amongst the brethren not in the bread or grape juice/wine.

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

HankD

Could one assume the real presence at the supper is because two or three a gathered and he is there?

 

[Billx]

The communion doctrine is almost as corrupted as the baptism doctrine.

One group, over a billion strong, claims they have the authority to change the elements into the literal body and blood of Jesus. Without this sacrament one cannot be saved.

Other groups, of the Protestant persuasion, have confused the issue even more with a consubstantiation as opposed to transubstantiation. One has to be a Mostly Right Reverend Doctor of Theology to decipher that nuance. For further study: theophagy and henotheist.

Then there is a rather small group which believe the communion is a memorial to Jesus and what He did for sinners to redeem them. The elements do not morph in any way. This group has a problem with whether the communion is open, close or closed--another thread for sure. The ecumenicals seem to be ahead in this arena.

Anyhow, trying to figure out real presence is an interesting adventure.

Choose wisely,

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

I had a priest tell me once, "I can change wine to blood and bread to body." I think that was called hocus pocus. Well Shazam.

 

[Billx]

It is scriptural:
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?

Communion : Grk. koinonia
United Bible Society (UBS) Lexicon: koinonia - 03555, Fellowship, a close mutual relationship, participation, sharing in,partnership...

Communion : Oxford Dictionary
The sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings especially when the thoughts are on a mental or spiritual level.

HankD

Communion is not what is was because communion when celebrated is the out come. It is supper with friends which brings communion. Name for communion: Eucharist, holy supper, Lord's supper, quarbana, last supper and other I don't know. My choice would be echarist would work for because it embodies thanksgiving for our salvation but the Catholics have stollen it and maybe trademarked it.

 

[HankD]

Communion is not what is was because communion when celebrated is the out come. It is supper with friends which brings communion. Name for communion: Eucharist, holy supper, Lord's supper, quarbana, last supper and other I don't know. My choice would be echarist would work for because it embodies thanksgiving for our salvation but the Catholics have stollen it and maybe trademarked it.

As Baptists we don't normally think of communion as a sacrament - that which imparts sanctifying grace - but that does not mean we shouldn't have private special moments with the Lord as we participate.
I do and apparently you as well Bill (and probably most of us).

HankD

 

[Bro. James]

An interesting question: Is there a Marcas Registradas on the bread and fruit of the vine? The holy see seems to claim the sole rights to the ritual for sure. They are certainly welcome to have their ritual and their sacrament. They need our prayer--they know not what they do. Then there is Mr. Welch--the grape juice guy.

The best example of the last supper in which I have ever participated: the closed body is assembled in His name. The preacher gives opportunity for confession to God and to those we have offended. (This may take some time) The last supper scripture is read. The unleavened bread from one loaf is taken in unison. The fruit of the vine is taken in unison. The body joins hands, sings a hymn and is dismissed in prayer. The universal church cannot do this.

THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

[Rlee]

An interesting question: Is there a Marcas Registradas on the bread and fruit of the vine? The holy see seems to claim the sole rights to the ritual for sure. They are certainly welcome to have their ritual and their sacrament. They need our prayer--they know not what they do. Then there is Mr. Welch--the grape juice guy.

The best example of the last supper in which I have ever participated: the closed body is assembled in His name. The preacher gives opportunity for confession to God and to those we have offended. (This may take some time) The last supper scripture is read. The unleavened bread from one loaf is taken in unison. The fruit of the vine is taken in unison. The body joins hands, sings a hymn and is dismissed in prayer. The universal church cannot do this.

THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

Many of my communion memories are very similar. The scripture being read, a time for prayer and examination, unison in eating and drinking, perhaps one song, and then dismissal. A solemn and spiritual time. It's difficult for me to envision it otherwise.

 

[Billx]

I am going try communion differently next month. I am going to distribute broken bread and have them come forward and dip the bread into a common cup and file to their seats. Our members are old old and they have trouble carrying and passing the cup tray to the communion table. This is an experiment. Has anyone attempted this?

 

[th1bill]

I am going try communion differently next month. I am going to distribute broken bread and have them come forward and dip the bread into a common cup and file to their seats. Our members are old old and they have trouble carrying and passing the cup tray to the communion table. This is an experiment. Has anyone attempted this?

No, but it sounds very considerate.

 

[Mike Stidham]

I had a priest tell me once, "I can change wine to blood and bread to body." I think that was called hocus pocus. Well Shazam.

The term "hocus pocus" comes from exactly that: it's a corruption of the Latin "hoc est corpus meum", or "this is my body" from the words of the old Mass.