The Lord’s Supper

Here are some bullet points about communion, gathered with help from our ministry resident, Nate Labadorf.

• Communion is the covenantal meal of the Lord, ordained by Christ and delivered to His Church through the ages.

• The bread is the sign and mystery of Christ’s body, given for us and received by faith. We eat the bread in remembrance of Him.

• The cup is the sign of the New Covenant by Christ’s own blood poured out for many for the remission of sins and received by faith. We drink the cup in remembrance of Him.

• Communion is also a moment to look forward to Jesus’ coming Kingdom, where he will eat and drink with us forever.

• Christ is not divided and His Church is one. Therefore, all who belong to Jesus—whether members of our church or not—are invited to join us when we take communion.

• Communion is only for believers.

• Believers must examine themselves before taking communion, confessing and repenting of anything the Spirit brings to mind like sowing division, worshipping idols, or continuing in any pattern of sin.

• Of course, as we examine ourselves, we see how needy we are, and that’s exactly when we should take communion, giving thanks for the sacrifice of Jesus that meets all of our needs.

• Communion is more than a bare symbol of that sacrifice. It’s a means of grace by which we commune with Jesus through the work the Holy Spirit does when we partake of this sacrament.