𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 …

The term “Communion” emphasizes fellowship-both with God and with fellow Christians-as believers collectively acknowledge the vicarious and redemptive work of Christ on the cross. It is the body of Jesus bruised and battered for our sakes. The bread being the finished work of physical redemption. Thereby, we are reminding ourselves of a righteousness that is not earned (ref John 1:29), yet received (ref 2 Timothy 1:9).

The Lord in His infinite sympathy with man post his fall from grace, in His union with all mankind through His terrestrial instantiation whereby He became the second Adam, actually took, as His own, our sins, as well as everything else belonging to us. He was so identified with us, that in the great Psalm of the Messianic sacrifice, He calls them “My sins” (ref Psalm 40:12), sinless as He was. In the NT Peter alludes to Isaiah 53:12 (ref 1 Peter 2:24).

He Did Not Die For Us, He Died As Us.

Failure in discerning the Lord's body is dangerous (ref 1 Cor 11:30) and this is echoed in the Old Testament itself 👇

The devil is permitted by God to use tradition to blind believers, by creating a false sense of security in established practices, leading them to prioritize rituals over genuine faith and understanding of the gospel. This has affected Holy Communion too with most beleivers thinking it is just a remembrance of the Last Supper and others seeing it only as a symbolic remembrance of the Lord's sacrifice. It is this benightedness that the enemy capitalises on.

This blinding is not mere ignorance but an active suppression of revelation (ref Romans 1:18).

1. Intellectual—often beclouding the truth behind a veil, sowing false worldviews (ref 1 Timothy 4:1).
2. Moral—normalizing sin and thereby ensuring a seared conscience (ref Ephesians 4:17-19).
3. Spiritual—energizing demonic strongholds that exalt themselves “against the knowledge of God” (ref 2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
4. Existential—keeping unbelievers preoccupied by the cares of life (ref Matthew 13:22).

I) PUBLIC TESTIMONY:

As 1 Corinthians 11:26 states, the Holy Communion proclaims the sacrifice of Christ “until He comes,”

II) PARTICIPATION IN THE NEW COVENANT:

The cup symbolizes the the covenant inaugurated through the atoning blood of Christ (ref Luke 22:20)-. This covenant of grace, replaced the old system of repeated animal sacrifices and all who drink are acknowledging their participation in this.

It calls upon believers to examine their faith while eagerly anticipating Christ’s return, for it is to this group the Lord awards the “Crown Of Righteousness” (ref 2 Timothy 4:8). Thus it is but a renewal of covenant bonds and a foretaste of the ultimate marriage supper of the Lamb.

III) UNITY AND FELLOWSHIP:

Communion thus, not only connects individuals with God but also forges fellowship among believers. A spiritual union that transcends personal differences is recognised and strengthened when Christians partake of the Holy Communion.

IV) SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT:

Communion offers spiritual enrichment as it is a means of grace through which believers partake in the life of Christ poured out freely for the remission of sins.

V) A DECLARATION OF HOPE:

People who partake of the Holy Communion, not only look back to the cross but also forward to the future. Communion is an assertion of faith and hope (ref 1 Corinthians 11:26). It connects the past, present, and future of our salvation story.

Regular observance of the Communion rejuvenates the heart, which had heretofore been relatively hardened by the incessant cares and problems of modern society, reaffirming that salvation is through the Lord's finished work on the cross and not by human efforts.

Across all the dispensations of the Gospel, a common thread runs all through. It is summed up in this verse of the OT quite succinctly

Partaking of the Communion while ignoring this admonition is not only useless but spiritually dangerous. This is why the refrain for “examining” oneself (ref 1 Corinthians 11:28).