Institution of the holy communion

The Holy Communion of the Church was instituted by Christ himself on the Passover feast before his suffering and death. The gospels give accounts of this institution in which on that Maundy Thursday while he and his disciples were eating, he took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them signifying his body. And also took the cup of wine, gave thanks and gave it to them signifying his blood. Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19-20

Scriptural Significance of the Holy Communion

Scriptures give various significance of the celebration or the commemoration of the Holy Communion as discussed below:

1). It is a memorial of Christ’s death

Jesus clearly tells his Apostles and by extension his church to do this in remembrance of him. Apostle Paul tells us that in observing it we show forth his death till he returns. That is Christ died for us. Rom 5:8

What is in his death?

A. In his death is a substitution for us. Isaiah 53:5-6

Through this substitutionary death of Christ we are

i. redeemed (claimed back by a price called “ransom”) from the curse of the law (Gal 3:13-14), the guilt of our sin (Rom 3:24), and from the power of or slavery to sin. (1 Peter 1:18-19)

ii. reconciled back to God Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

B. His death marks the end of our condemnation

Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

2) It is the Christian’s Passover

The Jews according to the law of Moses celebrated the Feast of Passover on the 14th day of the month of Abib also called Nisan to commemorate their deliverance from bondage in Egypt in which event the Angel of death passed over the firstborn of Israelites but smote the firstborn of the Egyptians. Exodus 12

Christ being a Jew kept the ordinance (Exodus 12:14). But he being sent to fulfil away the law of Moses and to be a mediator of a better covenant (Heb 8:6), offered himself (Heb 9:28) as the passover lamb (1 Cor 5:7) for our deliverance from the bondage of the Satan and sin into his glorious liberty that we may serve God in newness of life, God’s wrath of death having passed over us but rests upon the world who reject God.

3. It is the Christian’s Table of Unity

It is a table of the body and blood of Christ by which all are united unto Christ. It a remarkable element of our oneness in Christ. It is the table of the unity of the body of Christ, his church.

1 Corinthians 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

4. It is a Table of Fellowship with Christ

The name holy communion reveals its special significance as the word communion means fellowship. Through the communion we fellowship with Christ spiritually. In the peace offering, the law stipulated a part for the deity, and a part for the offerer, signifying the spiritual at-one-ness, peace, reconciliation, and fellowship with Yahweh. In dealing with the issue of eating food sacrificed unto idols Apostle Paul stressed this point. He revealed that in eating the things offered to idols one would be fellowshiping with devils just as one was fellowshipping with Christ partaking of the cup of blessing and the breaking of the bread.

1 Corinthians 10:16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 10:19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

5. It is a token in anticipation of a heavenly feast

Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 26:29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. 26:30 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

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