I CORINTHIANS 11:23-26: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: What is communion? This is an important question for all believers to contemplate. Many churches celebrate communion every Sunday. Others celebrate it once a month. And, a growing number of churches hardly celebrate it at all.

The importance is not in the frequency of observance but in the understanding when observed.

The understanding of communion has drawn strict lines that have separated entire denominations. There are three basic views of communion in the church today. Some big words that may be new to many are used to define them. These words are not important. It is the meaning behind them that we need to look at.

1. Transubstantiation: This is the view of communion held by the Roman Catholic Church. This embodies their understanding of the central purpose of their worship. This view believes that the bread and the cup are changed into the literal body and blood of Jesus Christ. In the celebration of a Catholic Mass, Catholics believe that Jesus Christ’s body and blood are shed anew each time they partake of the Lord’s Supper.
2. Consubstantiation: This view of communion was put forth by Martin Luther during the Reformation and is the traditional view held by Lutherans and a few others. This view states that the elements of the bread and the cup do not change. Rather, the presence of Jesus Christ is “in, with, and under” the elements. There is no sacrifice of Jesus Christ but the celebration of communion is much more than a symbolic representation.
3. Symbolic: The Swiss Reformer, Zwingli, taught that the bread and the cup were merely symbolic instruments in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. They were used to represent the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This view teaches no transformation or special attributes are given to the elements. The celebration of communion is simply an act of remembrance.

Most Evangelical Churches today follow the Symbolic understanding of the Lord’s Supper. As Evangelicals, we dismiss the Catholic understanding of communion based on the revelation of Scripture found in the book of Hebrews.

“And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.“ (Heb 10:11-14 NKJV)

Jesus Christ has offered one final, one complete, one holy sacrifice once and for all! His death, the shedding of His blood, forever secured eternal redemption for all who believe. There is no reason for Jesus Christ to be sacrificed over and over again. This contradicts the teaching of Scripture and makes the one and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ of no effect. Therefore, we must reject the view of transubstantiation.

Yet, I believe we make a great error when we jump over Martin Luther’s understanding of communion and right into making communion a mere symbolic observance. Doing so has led so many churches to almost abandon the importance of observing communion and entering into the same error that the Corinthian church made. The Corinthian church had lost their focus on the importance of communion and it was affecting the very health of their church!

“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” (1Co 11:27-30 NKJV)

I feel full disclosure is necessary before I proceed. I grew up in a Lutheran church, so my understanding of communion may be influenced by this. However, I have always tried to put the teaching of Scripture above any experience or teaching in my past. As I have worked through this as an Evangelical I must admit I have found myself walking a tightrope. Yet, I find myself in tension between Martin Luther’s view and that of most Evangelical churches.

While it is difficult to express what is meant by Martin Luther’s statement that the body and blood of Jesus Christ are “in, with, and under” the elements, it is equally difficult to reconcile with Scripture that the elements are merely symbolic. If the elements are only symbolic why would Paul write, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, such a strong rebuke?

“Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

Notice, that Paul does not say whoever eats the bread and drinks the cup in an unworthy manner is guilty of failing to remember the symbolic nature of the elements. No – Paul says that celebrating communion in an unworthy manner makes one guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. While we may not understand Martin Luther’s “in, with, and under” statement we must admit that communion is a very serious matter that is more than a simple observance we add to our worship service.

How does one take communion in an unworthy manner? Paul answers this question.

“For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”

When communion becomes an act of remembrance only we have failed to discern the Lord’s body. When we allow children to take the bread and the cup without understanding, we fail to discern the Lord’s body. When the presentation of communion and the music we play during communion become the centerfold of our participation, we fail to discern the Lord’s body. There can be serious consequences when we fail to discern the Lord’s body.

“For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.”

There is only one provision for our salvation. There is only one provision for our forgiveness and cleansing. There is only one provision for our healing. It is the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the completed sacrifice that was given once and for all on the cross of Calvary. Jesus was present when He instituted the Lord’s Supper with His disciples. Jesus is also present every time we celebrate communion and partake of the elements in communion.

If communion is not merely symbolic – what is it? Paul also answers this question as He recalls the words of Jesus.

“For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1Co 11:23-26 NKJV)

Communion is the participation in and the celebration of the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is the highest proclamation of the Christian faith. It is the act of both surrender and faith in a moment of celebration and physical participation that both remembers and proclaims. It is the proclamation that ushers us into the participation of the grace and presence of Jesus’ body through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

While nothing mystical happens to the elements the very real and tangible presence of Jesus Christ is in this very act of worship. It is the joining of our hearts and our faith in worship, celebration, and proclamation of the efficacy and completeness of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It proclaims to our hearts, to the world, and to principalities and powers that there is salvation in no other. Our Savior, our baptizer in the Holy Spirit, our Healer, and our Soon Coming King is present with us as we do what He has called us to do.

“Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.“

Communion is both a physical and a spiritual act of worship. It brings a tangible point of contact and remembrance to our faith. And, it unites our hearts in the power and presence of the risen Christ who is among us. Jesus Christ is present with us in the celebration of communion and it should never be taken lightly or without understanding. It is our highest form of praise as we proclaim the Lord’s completed work of grace – until He comes again!

Lord, help me to never take of the elements of communion without understanding or in an unworthy manner. Help me always to discern Your body and to proclaim Your victory…

Until You come again!

In Jesus’ Name!