Communion—also called the Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, or the Breaking of Bread—is one of two ordinances that Jesus personally instituted for His church (the other being baptism). It is a sacred meal of bread and wine (or grape juice) that Christians share together to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Origin
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus shared a final Passover meal with His disciples. During that meal, He took bread, broke it, and said: 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.' Then He took the cup, saying: 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you' (Luke 22:19-20). In this single act, Jesus transformed an ancient Jewish meal into the central act of Christian worship.
What Does Communion Mean?
- Remembrance: Communion is first and foremost an act of memory. The bread reminds us of Jesus' body, broken on the cross. The cup reminds us of His blood, shed for the forgiveness of sins. Paul writes: 'Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes' (1 Corinthians 11:26).
- Proclamation: Every time the church celebrates communion, it is re-proclaiming the Gospel—visually preaching the message of the cross.
- Community: The word 'communion' literally means 'sharing' or 'fellowship.' When Christians eat and drink together at the Lord's Table, they express their unity as one body. It is not a private act; it is a communal one.
- Anticipation: Communion points forward to the future. Jesus said He would not drink the fruit of the vine again until He drinks it 'new in the kingdom' (Matthew 26:29). Every communion meal is a preview of the great banquet that awaits when Christ returns.
Who Should Take Communion?
Paul warns believers to examine themselves before participating (1 Corinthians 11:28). This does not mean you must be perfect—if that were the case, no one would ever qualify. It means you should come with a sincere heart, genuine faith in Christ, and a willingness to confess any known sin.