The Why, What, Who, When and Where of Communion – Day 1

This past year I’ve felt as though God has really taken me back to the basics of our faith to rebuild foundations.  One of the foundations He’s been laying in my life is that of Communion, or the Lord’s Supper.

Over the next 31 Days, I’m actually going to be pulling apart chapter by chapter the books I’ve been reading and doing a point summary of each.  I hope this inspires you to purchase the books I blog through.   I’m also going to gather some thoughts from some of my mentors and pastors on this topic.Day1 Holy Communion Challenge

Another part of my challenge is going to be taking communion each day for 31 days, and to make this a life long habit, and I’ll explain why further below, in my Why, When, Where, What and Who of Communion.

So What is communion, exactly?

Communion is what is referred to as the last supper, which Jesus had with his disciples before he was crucified, in which He was actually keeping the Passover, a Feast God had initiated many years before as part of His covenant of protection and health when the Israelites fled from the Egyptians.

 I say health also because when the Israelites left Egypt, ‘There were none feeble among them’ Psalm 105:37. 

God had established this covenant in the Old Testament and brought it into the New Testament by Jesus laying such importance on it.

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you.  For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

Matthew 26:26-28 (NKJV)

Lord's Supper, the Eucharist, Holy Communion

Why as a Christian is communion important?

Communion was a major part of New Testament church and Jesus commands us to take it, for which there must be a reason.   Taking communion, and understanding what you are doing as you do so is declaring in the Spirit realm the forgiveness of your sins and healing of your body. 

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace” Ephesians 1:7 NIV

“In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people–an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this to remember me as often as you drink it.”  I Corinthians 11:25 New Living Translation.

Where should I take communion and who with?

The Bible says that believers met together in their homes, taking communion. 

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they are their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.”  Acts 2:46

These days some Christians meet together at church, where some congregations take it weekly, others monthly, and some yearly, but there is nothing to say that you can’t take it at home, between you and God, or you and your family. 

In the New Testament we are called ‘kings and priests’, and God has made provision for us come to Him ourselves through our relationship with Jesus, that’s part of His death on the cross, purifying us with His blood.   

I Peter 2:9 NIV But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Hope in the Holy Communion

When should I take it?

We are told we can take communion as often as we remember Jesus, there is no limit on how often we pray, or worship, sometimes we just haven’t studied a matter for ourselves, or realised the importance of a spiritual discipline.

I Corinthians 11:25 AMP

In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in [affectionate] remembrance of Me.”

So guys are you still with me?  Did you read those scriptures or sort of skim them? I skim stuff too sometimes, and I understand, but please if you have time could you go back and read them carefully?

I realise that communion is a big topic and there are various views on this, but I believe this a foundation of our faith and important to understand.   I’m going to be taking communion every day for 31 days once my husband comes home with a loaf of bread which I forgot to buy yesterday.

All I’m using is a bottle of grape juice and an ordinary loaf of bread.  Different churches use different items, some  use wine, some use matzah or wafers, and I’ve heard of islanders using coconut milk and meat; not so sure on that one, but if you’re in for this; please join me.    I’ve obviously got a lot more to share on this topic, as I’m going for 31 days, so please stay with me.  I’ll see you tomorrow.

 

If the thought of following along for 31 Days seems overwhelming, but you want to dig deep on this topic too, I invite you to sign up for 7 Days of Rediscovering the Holy Communion. I’ve condensed the very best bits down to a Bible Study that is manageable yet incredibly deep, and I’d love you to join us.

About Elizabeth

My name is Elizabeth Ainsworth, a wife and mother in QLD Australia who shares her ponderings of faith at Where Deep Calls to Deep

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