What is Communion?

Have you ever asked yourself that question? I have to lead my first communion service this Sunday, so I thought it might be a good question to answer. Perhaps I should also ask, "Why do we celebrate communion?" I know that it is one of the two ordinances of the church (communion and baptism) instituted by Jesus Christ Himself, but what is the significance of it and why do we celebrate it regularly?

A good place to start would be in one of the Gospels where Jesus initiates the Lord's Supper with His disciples. Perhaps Luke 22:7-23 would work. Here Jesus is celebrating the Passover Feast with His disciples in Jerusalem and He introudces them to a new feast, the Lord's Supper. I don't think it is a coinsidence that Jesus uses the Jewish commemoration of God delivering them from Egyptian slavery to introduce a new commemoration of God delivering people from sin. The Passover was a time for both remembering and rejoicing, so too is the celebration of the Lord's Table.

In 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 the Apostle Paul provides us with a clear picture of the purpose and practice of communion. There are two pruposes and two practices.

The Two Purposes of Communion:
1. Remembering the scarifice of Christ on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
2. Rejoicing in the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:26)

The Two Practices of Communion:
1. Preparation by examination of our lives in light of the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf (1 Corinthians 11:27-33)
2. Participation by unification to come together to remember and rejoice in the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.

Communiuon is a celebration and a declaration of the death of Jesus Christ and the power of His resurecttion. As the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corithians 11:26, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes."