Holy Communion

By Deaconess Judene Livesay-McCrory

What is Communion? It is the act of remembering Christ’s sacrifice and a promise between Jesus and his believers. Specifically, Jesus told His disciples in 1 Corinthians 11:25-26, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Why do we have Communion? Because we want to be pleasing to our Father and His Son. Jesus instituted the Lord's supper as a memorial of the deliverance from sin, which he would give to those who trust in him. Matthew 26:26-28 tells us that: ²⁶ While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” ²⁷ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. ²⁸ This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

The bread and the cup remind us of the onetime sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, we partake to remember what he did on our behalf. Who would not want to fulfill this request for our Lord who has given His life, so that we would have everlasting life.

How should you come to communion? You should come with a clean heart and prepared to accept Jesus’s sacrifice and to renew your belief in the covenant. 1 Corinthians 11:26-29: ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. ²⁷ So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.

The word “examine” literally means for you to “test” yourself and then “approve” yourself based on passing the test. Or look at how you are living and committing yourself to the Lord and rededicate yourself to obedience before taking communion.

Should you be baptized before you take the Holy Communion? Yes you should be born again by the Holy Spirit and submerged in water. Acts 2:36-39: ³⁶ “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” ³⁷ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” ³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

When? Jesus teaches us at the Last Supper to do communion often in remembrance of him. Luke 22:19: ¹⁹ And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”

Our Lord wants to be remembered, he wants to be loved and talked about, he wants to hear your prayers, he wants you to bring your troubles and your worries to him. He wants you to believe that you are not alone. So, you ask when should I do communion, when the spirit moves you, there is no wrong or right time to remember our Lord. In Matthew 22:37 Jesus teaches us you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind this is the great and the first commandment.

What is the new covenant we speak of? The covenant is the promise that Jesus will come back and take His people to the place that He has prepared for them, so that we can be there with him forever. In John 14:3- 4 He said, ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” In John 6:53: ⁵³ Jesus said very truly I tell you unless you eat of the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood you will have no life ⁵⁴ whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life I will raise them up on the last day for my flesh is real food and my blood is real I drink.