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(1 Corinthians 11:23) "...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.” In the same way, he also 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.”
Part 3: WE MAY LET GO... BUT GOD NEVER WILL — 7. Communion and sacraments (visible signs Christ uses to convey grace, nourish faith, and unite the community)
Q: What is communion? The English word "communion" comes from the Latin communio (sharing in common), which was used by early translators of the Bible to translate the ancient Greek word koinonia. The Root Word: Koinos is the ancient Greek adjective koinos, which means "common," "public," or "shared by all” So, the word "Communion" comes from the Greek word "to give thanks," which makes sense because in communion, we give thanks for what Jesus has done for us.
Q: What are Sacraments? They are simply rituals regarded as imparting divine grace. They are there to symbolise and point us to the guarantee of God’s promises to us. They help strengthen and encourage us as we follow Jesus. So the bread we eat and the wine we drink act as a reminder and symbolise Jesus's body and blood given up for us SO THAT we can have real access to, and a relationship with God.
Q: Why do we take communion? The simple answer is that Jesus commands us to gather, to eat bread and drink wine in “remembrance” of him (Luke 22:19–20). But is that all communion is? I don’t think so. Far too many Christians, over two thousand years, have testified that ‘something' happens to us when we eat the bread and drink the cup, and Christians have long tried to explain what that is. Some traditions speak of Christ’s real presence in the elements; others describe a spiritual feeding; some call it a memorial. Whatever the traditional language, the heart of it is this: in faith we receive Christ and the promises he offers.
Q: What promises does Jesus give us at the table?
- Forgiveness — “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matt. 26:28). Communion reminds us that our sins are forgiven as we repent and forgive.
- Presence — “The cup of blessing that we bless…is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16–17). We meet Christ there; he is with us.
- Nourishment — “I am the bread of life…whoever comes to me shall not hunger” (John 6:35). The bread and cup point us to a spiritual feeding that satisfies.
- Strength and perseverance — Jesus speaks of eating his flesh and drinking his blood as the way to abide in him and receive life (John 6:53–58).
Whichever way you come to the table, think of it as not only a ritual, but as an encounter. Come with open-hearted faith (and repentance). Come expecting that Christ will meet you, forgive you, feed you, and give you strength to live out the calling(s) he’s given you.
If I haven’t explained it all to your satisfaction, I apologise. But you don’t have to understand every theological label to receive what he offers. Just come…
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Let’s pray. "Heavenly Father, it really doesn’t matter what we think. Please let the Holy Spirit dictate and confirm what You mean so that we can truly be free and live." Amen!
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URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS (Please keep checking as more are being added almost daily)