In this week’s blog, we will be looking at the significance of communion in the Christian faith. We will start by making it clear that the practice of communion is not a prerequisite for our salvation as believers. However, it holds a spiritual and symbolic significance. We will now go through some of the significance of Communion in the Christian faith.
One of the primary scriptural references for the significance of communion is found in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the accounts of the Last Supper as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as well as in the Apostle Paul’s letters to the Corinthians. In Luke 22:19-20, Jesus said to his disciples during the Last Supper: “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
These words of Jesus establish the significance of communion as a remembrance of his sacrifice on the cross. Through the bread and wine, which represent the body and blood of Jesus, we are partaking in a symbolic act of sharing in the sacrifice of Jesus and his redemptive work on the cross. It serves as a reminder of the great love and grace of God, who sent Jesus to die for the sins of humanity. This act of sharing bread and wine represents Jesus’ body and blood, which were given and shed for the salvation of humanity. It is a sign of faith, obedience, and commitment.
The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, further expounds on the significance of communion. In 1 Corinthians 11:26, he states: “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” This emphasizes the prophetic aspect of communion, as it proclaims the central event of our faith, the resurrection and second coming of Jesus. It points to the future hope we have in the return of Christ and the ultimate fulfilment of God’s kingdom.
Another reason we partake of communion is for the reason of fellowship with God and One Another. Communion is considered one of the ways we experience fellowship with God and with one another. It is a time for believers to come together as a community of faith, share in the bread and wine, and express their unity in Christ. It is a time of deep spiritual communion with God, a moment of worship, reflection, and renewal of faith. It also serves as a unifying act for the body of Christ, as Christians come together to partake, affirming their common faith and commitment to follow Jesus.
Communion also serves as a solemn reminder of the call to examine one’s heart and life before partaking. Paul cautions the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 that those who partake in an unworthy manner, without proper discernment of the significance of Christ’s sacrifice and without repentance of sins, may bring judgment upon themselves. Thus, it serves as a call to personal reflection, confession, and repentance, leading to a deeper sense of reverence, humility, and gratitude for God’s grace.
In summary, the significance of communion in the Christian faith is multi-faceted. It commemorates and symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, proclaims the Lord’s death until his return, fosters spiritual communion with God, unifies the body of Christ, and calls for personal reflection and repentance.