Communion

[ray]

Hello! I know some churches have communion (breaking bread and cup wine/grape juice) once a month and others have it every Sunday or Sabath.

What is your opionon on how often? and what do the scriptures say about it?

ray

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Ray,

Here are the scriptures:

1 Cor 11:20-26 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Paul here is castigating the Corinthian church because "when they came together in one place", they were not treating it as the "Lord's supper". Remember the Lord's words:

Mark 9:35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Mark 10:43-44 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Instead of "serving one another in love", the Corinthians were serving themselves first.

The early church "met daily" and they had all things in common. So Bibically, I would say that whenever we "come together" we are participating in the Lord's supper. Since He gave us a figure by sharing bread and wine, which indeed was the disciples "supper", it would not be unreasonable to copy the last supper in our time of fellowship. The "emblems" used (bread and wine) have special significance to both the origination of the custom in the OT, and to what it pointed to in Christ.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[jamie]

I think the kind of communion most desired by God is a heart thing.

He desires a people who will commune with Him in relationship and a deep love for only Him.

The other communion as in eat the wafer and drink the grapejuice is only symbolic, and a ritualistic form.

[Catsmeow]

The non-denominational church I now attend gives Holy Communion every single service each week.

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Jamie,

I think the kind of communion most desired by God is a heart thing.

He desires a people who will commune with Him in relationship and a deep love for only Him.

The other communion as in eat the wafer and drink the grapejuice is only symbolic, and a ritualistic form.

What you left out should follow "communion with God", and that is "communion with each other" Remember the two greatest commandments.

A young boy who was told it was time for his bed, soon came running to his mother and said "I'm afraid, being alone." His mother promptly told him to remember that Jesus was with him and he had not to fear. Upon hearing this the little boy informed his mother, I know that, but I need someone with "flesh" on.

Isn't that what the "body of Christ" is for? Supplying one to another in the Name of Jesus?

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[jamie]

Greetings Jamie,

I think the kind of communion most desired by God is a heart thing.

He desires a people who will commune with Him in relationship and a deep love for only Him.

The other communion as in eat the wafer and drink the grapejuice is only symbolic, and a ritualistic form.

What you left out should follow "communion with God", and that is "communion with each other" Remember the two greatest commandments.

A young boy who was told it was time for his bed, soon came running to his mother and said "I'm afraid, being alone." His mother promptly told him to remember that Jesus was with him and he had not to fear. Upon hearing this the little boy informed his mother, I know that, but I need someone with "flesh" on.

Isn't that what the "body of Christ" is for? Supplying one to another in the Name of Jesus?

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

I agree with what you are saying but I was mostly addressing the fact that God desires to commune with us instead of us have a religious ritual we go through.

I agree also that we need to commune or fellowship with each other.

[jesussaves]

The communion of the "wine and bread" is done as a memorial to the Lord. It is done in remembrence of what He did for us at calvery and is not to be taken lightly. One should examine their heart and ask the Lord to forgive any sin before taking communion. (1Cor. 11:27-28) Our Lord gave His life for us. He is worthy of praise and honor and all glory.

Whether you take communion every church service, once a month or at home everyday, is not important. How you take it is.

"For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lord's death til He come." 1Corinthians 11:26

[Guest Called]

Whether you take communion every church service, once a month or at home everyday, is not important. How you take it is.

I completely agree Jesussaves. If we start saying, "well it needs to be this certain number of times per month/year", then we get into legalistic bondage.

[jamie]

Communion is only symbolic, is it necessary?

[Guest Called]

I would say it is necessary because Jesus said to do it in remembrance of Him. It is a command.