1. What is communion?
2. Who should take communion and who shouldn't?
3. Why should I take communion?
Lord’s Supper
"Whenever the gospel is preached it is as if God himself came into the midst of us." (John Calvin)
Read Matthew 26:26-30. Who does Jesus share this meal with? What does Jesus say the bread and the cup symbolize?
1. What is communion?
· Communion is first and foremost a physical symbol of our spiritual union with Christ by the gospel. The bread symbolizes his body broken for us, and the wine symbolizes his blood shed for us.
· Communion is secondly a symbol of our union with one another. By sharing in communion together as a church we demonstrate our unity of faith in the gospel.
· The bread and the drink are not the actual physical body and blood of Christ. Jesus’ body was risen from the grave and seated at the right hand of the Father.
· Similar to baptism, communion does not save you. Only faith in Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection can do that. However communion is an important symbol of our ongoing union with Christ by the gospel.
Read 1 Cor 11:27-32. What should we do before we take communion? Why?
2. Who should take communion and who shouldn’t?
· Communion should be a joyful and reverent celebration for those who believe the gospel. It is an act of worship for Christians.
· Children who are too young to understand the significance of communion should wait until they are able to grasp what communion is all about.
· Christians should search their hearts, think about Christ, and reaffirm their faith in the gospel in preparation for taking communion.
· Non-members who are genuine Christians are always welcome to take communion. This includes regular attendees and visitors.
Read 1 Cor 11:23-26. Paul quotes Jesus' own words from the gospels. What did Jesus say the disciples should do? What do we proclaim when we do this?
3. Why should I take communion?
· Like baptism, you should not take communion just because the people around you are doing it. You should not take communion just because it is a habit or ritual that you are used to doing. You should not take communion because you think it will save you or make you a Christian.
· You should take communion in joyful obedience to God’s command as a symbol of your union with Christ through the gospel, and in unity with fellow Christians in your church. What a powerful expression of your faith!
· First Baptist does a service of communion as a church body once a month at the end of the Worship Service on the first Sunday of the month.
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Throughout the history of the Church there have been 4 distinct views of what the Lord's Supper is all about.
1. Transubstantiation - This the view held by Roman Catholicism. It holds that the elements (bread and wine) become the actual body and blood of Christ. The taste and appearance remain as bread and wine, but it physically is transformed into flesh and blood.
2. Consubstantiation - this is the view held by Luther and Lutherans. It holds that as heat is in iron, so Christ is physically present in the elements. It is a confusing view, but tries to hold to a physical presence of Christ but remain distinct from Transubstantiation.
3. Spiritual Presence - this is the view held by John Calvin and reformed churches such as Presbyterians. It holds that Christ is not physically present in the elements, but he is spiritually present. The one who partakes of communion therefore receives a spiritual benefit from it.
4. The Memorial view - This view is held by most Baptist and non-denominational churches. It holds that communion is a symbol of the sacrifice of Christ. We partake of it 'in memory of' him. The emphasis here is not on the elements but on the gospel which the elements represent. When we receive the bread and cup we are professing our faith and unity with Christ.
At FBC, we hold to view 4, (though some held to 3). The gospel is the center of our faith, and when we take communion we are professing our faith in Christ' sacrifice for us.
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