Welcome back to my blog and thank you for visiting. Today's exciting topic is communion.
Communion is a common sacrament of the church. The number and the form of the sacraments in the church are quite controversial and are in part what define church denominations. Sacraments generally are meant to convey a blessing on the believer or allow them to show their dedication to Christ. Unfortunately, a full discussion of individual denominational beliefs is beyond the scope of this blog.
Communion, however, is perhaps the best attested sacrament in the Bible and importantly commemorates the precious sacrifice of Christ on the cross.Nonetheless, communion can be a very controversial subject and people's beliefs can often be based on feelings or tradition. However, as Bible based Christians, we consider 1st the scriptures to differentiate what the epistles say to the church about communion without relying on opinion or tradition. Further reading is referenced below (Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth).
· Communion in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 11:24-27; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; John 6:48-58) – Communion, along with water baptism, appear to be the most common sacraments celebrated by the local church. How it is celebrated,who serves it, its frequency, its location, setting and the precise elements served, vary widely across denominations.
Importantly, scripture allows great freedom in how churches or individuals celebrate communion. The scriptures do not even indicate that communion must be limited to a church service although that is now tradition. The apostle Paul only comments specifically on a unworthy communion celebration in the Corinthianschurch (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
· Significance of communion - The rite is based on the last supper of Christ, when after the Passover meal, He broke the bread and poured wine to remember His upcoming sacrifice upon the cross for sins and our salvation at His coming again. Christ further explains in the Gospel of John that we must eat His flesh and drink is blood to be saved (John 6:48-58).This passage also appears reflected in the communion meal.
· Meaning of the elements - These two elements are typed in the Old Testament, the wine by the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat at the Day of Atonement for the coverage of sins (Leviticus 23:7-8). The bread is typed by the manna given daily by God that sustained the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16; John 6:48-58).
o The wine – The wine represents Christ’s blood spilt on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. By drinking the wine, we remember that He is a fully sufficient sacrifice for our sins as a pure and perfect savior.
o The bread – This represents His broken body on the cross by which took the punishment for our sins. By eating the bread, we remember His substitutionary death for us and His glorious resurrection and our accompanying regeneration to new life, access to God and salvation (John 6:48-58; Hebrews 10:19-20). Indeed, Christ recognized the resurrection during the communion meal by saying to celebrate the bread and the wine until He comes again, indicatingthere must be a resurrection!
Although some denominations believe (i.e., Catholic, transubstantiation) that our Savior is actually Himself present in the elements of the communion meal there is no evidence in scripture to indicate this claim.
God graciously has given us a beautiful remembrance of His gracious death upon the cross and life-giving resurrection for our salvation in the rite of communion. We should remember His death and resurrection frequently in gratitude and corresponding service (Philippians 2:12; Romans 12:1).
Next time we will discuss vital topics of the Christian life!
Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!
William C. Stewart, MD
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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.
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