What Is Holy Communion?
1. Definition of Holy Communion
Holy Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is a central act of Christian worship rooted in Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. In this meal, believers share bread and wine (or grape juice), which represent Christ’s body and blood.
This sacrament serves as:
Remembrance – recalling Christ’s death and resurrection.
Thanksgiving – offering gratitude to God for salvation.
Fellowship – uniting the body of Christ in worship.
Proclamation – declaring the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).
2. Biblical Foundations of Communion
The practice of holy communion comes directly from Scripture.
The Gospels record Jesus’ institution of the Supper on the night He was betrayed (Matthew 26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:19–20).
Paul repeats the words of institution in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, grounding the church’s ongoing practice.
Communion recalls the covenant language of Exodus, where blood sealed God’s promises to His people (Exodus 24:8).
By taking the bread and cup, the church participates in the new covenant, established through Christ’s sacrifice.
3. The Meaning of Bread and Wine
Different Christian traditions interpret the bread and wine in varying ways:
Roman Catholic view – through transubstantiation, the elements become the actual body and blood of Christ.
Lutheran view – Christ’s body and blood are truly present “in, with, and under” the elements.
Reformed view – the bread and wine remain symbols, but Christ is spiritually present, nourishing believers by faith.
Memorialist view – the elements are symbolic reminders of Christ’s death.
Despite these differences, most traditions agree that holy communion points believers back to the cross and forward to the kingdom, strengthening faith through participation in Christ.
4. Communion as Fellowship and Unity
Holy communion is not merely personal devotion; it is a communal act.
Believers share one bread, showing they are one body (1 Corinthians 10:16–17).
The Supper unites Christians across cultures and generations as one family of God.
Communion requires discernment and love for one another. Paul warns that divisions within the church make the meal unworthy (1 Corinthians 11:18–22, 29).
The act of eating together reflects the unity of God’s people, both Jew and Gentile, gathered into one new covenant community.
5. Communion as Participation in Christ
The Bible describes communion as more than remembrance; it is participation in Christ Himself.
Paul says, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16). This participation is:
Spiritual communion – believers receive the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice.
Sanctifying grace – strengthening faith and obedience.
Anticipation – looking forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9).
Communion bridges the past, present, and future of salvation: it recalls the cross, nourishes believers now, and points toward the kingdom to come.
6. Communion as Proclamation of the Gospel
Every celebration of holy communion proclaims the Gospel. Paul says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).
This proclamation means that communion:
Declares the cross – Christ died for sins once for all (Hebrews 10:10).
Confirms the resurrection – the risen Christ is present with His people (Luke 24:30–31).
Anticipates His return – the Supper looks forward to Christ’s kingdom banquet (Matthew 26:29).
The Lord’s Supper is thus an ongoing witness to the Gospel, shaping how the church lives in the present.
7. Communion and the Kingdom of God
Communion reminds the church that Christ is reigning now and will return to consummate His kingdom.
Jesus spoke of not drinking again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom comes in fullness (Luke 22:18).
The table points believers toward the future feast in God’s presence (Isaiah 25:6–9).
It reassures the church that history is moving toward the new creation.
Holy communion is therefore both nourishment for present faith and hope for future glory.
8. The Gospel and Holy Communion
At its core, holy communion is a Gospel-shaped practice. It embodies the truth that Christ died, Christ rose, and Christ will come again.
It applies the benefits of Christ’s sacrifice to believers by faith.
It strengthens assurance of forgiveness and adoption.
It demonstrates the reality of the new covenant community.
Through the bread and cup, the church experiences Christ’s presence, not in a physical sense, but as the Spirit nourishes faith and renews hearts. The Lord’s Supper keeps the Gospel central, reminding believers that life in Christ is sustained by His death and resurrection.
Conclusion
Holy communion is more than ritual. It is the church’s ongoing remembrance, fellowship, proclamation, and participation in Christ. While traditions differ in explaining the bread and wine, the heart of communion remains the same: it centers believers on Jesus and unites them as His people.
This practice keeps the Gospel alive in the church’s worship. It proclaims that Christ has died, Christ is risen, and Christ will come again. Until the kingdom feast arrives, the Lord’s Supper nourishes faith, strengthens unity, and anchors the church in the kingship of Christ.
10 Bible Verses about Holy Communion
1 Corinthians 11:23–24 – “The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’”
1 Corinthians 11:25–26 – “In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”
Luke 22:19–20 – “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.’”
Matthew 26:26–28 – “Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’”
Mark 14:22–24 – “And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, ‘Take; this is my body.’ And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.’”
John 6:53–54 – “So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.’”
1 Corinthians 10:16–17 – “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.”
Hebrews 10:10 – “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
Revelation 19:9 – “And the angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.’”
Isaiah 25:6 – “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well refined.”
