Communion

The Lord's Supper commemorating Christ's sacrifice and anticipating His return

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Overview

The Lord's Supper stands as the church's central act of worship and remembrance. Instituted by Christ on the night before His crucifixion, this meal proclaims His death until He comes again. "This do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19) commands believers to perpetuate this sacred meal throughout church history.

The elements carry profound meaning. The bread represents Christ's body, broken for our redemption: "This is my body which is given for you" (Luke 22:19). The cup signifies His blood, poured out for sin's forgiveness: "This cup is the new testament in my blood" (Luke 22:20). Together they proclaim the gospel in visible form—Christ's atoning death securing eternal life for all who believe.

Communion is both backward-looking and forward-looking. It remembers Calvary: "as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death" (1 Corinthians 11:26). It also anticipates Christ's return: "till he come." The church celebrates between the cross and the crown, between redemption accomplished and redemption consummated.

Scripture calls for serious self-examination before partaking. "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28). Those who eat and drink unworthily bring judgment upon themselves. The table calls for confession, reconciliation, and renewed commitment. This solemn joy marks the communion of saints with their Lord and with one another.

Subtopics

Institution of the Supper

Christ establishing the ordinance

  • Matthew 26:26-28 — Take, eat; this is my body
    And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
  • Mark 14:22-24 — This is my blood of the new testament
    And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
  • Luke 22:19-20 — This do in remembrance of me
    And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 — The Lord's own words
    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:

Meaning of the Elements

Significance of bread and cup

  • 1 Corinthians 10:16 — Communion of Christ's body and blood
    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?
  • John 6:53-56 — Eat my flesh, drink my blood
    Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:26 — Shew the Lord's death
    For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
  • Exodus 12:14 — Passover memorial foreshadowing
    And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.

Worthy Participation

Self-examination and preparation

  • 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 — Examine himself
    Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:30-32 — Judgment for unworthiness
    For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
  • Matthew 5:23-24 — Reconciliation before worship
    Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
  • 1 Corinthians 10:21 — Cannot partake of Lord's table and devils
    Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

Unity of the Church

Communion expressing fellowship

  • 1 Corinthians 10:17 — One bread, one body
    For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
  • Acts 2:42 — Breaking of bread together
    And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
  • Acts 20:7 — Gathered to break bread
    And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
  • 1 Corinthians 11:33 — Tarry one for another
    Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

Study Guidance

Topical study benefits from reading verses in their broader context. Click any reference above to view the complete passage and surrounding verses. Consider comparing how different biblical authors address the same theme across various contexts and time periods.

Cross-reference study deepens understanding. Many verses listed here connect to other passages—use the cross-references provided on individual verse pages to trace theological themes throughout Scripture.

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