Communion v Lord's Supper?

Hi Dr. Bob,

Good question. I would have thought it is a bit of each, a spiritual act of rememberance by spiritually like minded people coming together as a community.

I will be interested to see what others have to say.

Blessings
Sheila

 

This term for the Lord's Supper is from 1 Cor 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?"

The Greek word is the familiar "koinonia" which means fellowship, association, joint-participation, intimacy. The verse tells us that the "communion" is not with each other (although we usually partake with each other), but with the very blood and body of Christ.

 

Brian,

That's the verse that comes to mind for me as well (and the one that is incorporated into many mainline communion liturgies - including the American Baptist one I believe).

Not to split hairs here, but it communion both with Christ and with each other. You'll notice that in chapter 12 of I Corinthians (v 12 & 13) Paul speaks of us sharing one baptism and "drinking of one Spirit" and consequently all becoming part of the Body of Christ.

Therefore, the koinonia of the Body of Christ includes fellowship with Jesus and each other.

Joshua

 

Hi Joshua,

Yes, I agree. It is communion with Christ's body and blood that gives us communion with each other. The next verse after the one I posted above says "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."

Brian

 

Thanks for clarifying. I see the Eucharist as a key visual symbol of mercy, and part of the expression of that grace is the congregation's willingness to share in one body with me. That's why I mentioned it .

Joshua

 

The evening meal in the midwest and south is commonly called supper. But on the west coast it is called dinner. I have noticed where there is a heavier RCC backgound it is often called communion. But for people on the west coast the say the word supper is an indicator that the person is from somewhere else or is not up on current word usage. To use the word "supper" sounds like a person who would be less than educated.

You wouldn't use the word supper on the west coast, To substitute the word "dinner" would sound rather poor. Can you imagine saying, "the Lord's dinner."

 

Wouldn't a morning communion service involve "The Lord's Breakfast"? Or perhaps, "The Lord's Brunch".

 

Bob, did you miss the part above where we supplied the verse from which "Communion" comes. It's biblical as well.

Joshua