“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20
What Does The Bible Say About Holy Communion
Holy Communion is a sacred act that Christians practice to remember Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for humanity. It is a time when believers gather to break bread and drink from the cup, reflecting on the love of God shown through the death of His Son on the cross. This act reminds Christians of the forgiveness of sins and the new life they have received because of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The Bible teaches that Holy Communion is not just a ritual but a spiritual connection with God and with fellow believers. When people take part in Holy Communion, they are reminded of their unity as members of one body in Christ. It also helps Christians renew their commitment to follow Jesus and live according to His teachings.
Participating in Holy Communion is an act of faith, thanksgiving, and obedience. It brings believers closer to God and strengthens their hope for eternal life.
Also Read: Bible Verses about Communion
The Institution of Holy Communion
The Holy Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper, was instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper with His disciples. It serves as a powerful reminder of His sacrifice and an opportunity to reflect on His love and grace. The Scriptures provide insight into its meaning and significance, helping believers partake with reverence and understanding.
Luke 22:19-20
“He broke the bread, gave it to them, and said, ‘This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.’ He did the same with the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant written in my blood, blood poured out for you.’”
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
“Let me go over with you exactly what goes on in the Lord’s Supper and why it is so centrally important. I received my instructions from the Master himself and passed them on to you…”
Matthew 26:26-28
“While they were eating, Jesus took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples: ‘Take, eat. This is my body.’”
Mark 14:22-24
“During the meal, he took and blessed the bread, broke it, and gave it to them. Then he said, ‘Take, this is my body.’”
John 6:53-54
“But Jesus didn’t give an inch: ‘Only insofar as you eat and drink flesh and blood, the flesh and blood of the Son of Man, do you have life within you.’”
The Bread as the Body of Christ
The bread used in Holy Communion represents the body of Christ, broken for the forgiveness of sins. By partaking in the bread, believers affirm their unity with Christ and acknowledge His sacrifice. This element serves as a profound symbol of spiritual sustenance and fellowship with the Savior.
1 Corinthians 10:16
“When we drink the cup of blessing, aren’t we taking into ourselves the blood, the very life of Christ? And isn’t it the same with the loaf of bread we break and eat?”
John 6:35
“Jesus said, ‘I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.’”
Luke 24:30-31
“He sat down at the table with them. Taking the bread, he blessed and broke and gave it to them. At that moment, open-eyed, wide-eyed, they recognized him.”
Matthew 4:4
“Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: ‘It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.’”
Acts 2:42
“They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.”
The Cup as the Blood of Christ
The cup of wine or juice in Holy Communion symbolizes the blood of Jesus, shed for the remission of sins. It signifies the new covenant established by His sacrifice, offering believers redemption and eternal life. Partaking in the cup serves as a reminder of the cleansing power of His blood.
Hebrews 9:22
“Moses said to the people, ‘This is the blood of the covenant God has established with you.’”
1 John 1:7
“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.”
Romans 5:9
“Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way.”
Ephesians 1:7
“Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds.”
Matthew 26:28
“This is my blood, God’s new covenant poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins.”
Unity in the Body of Christ
Holy Communion fosters a sense of unity among believers as members of the body of Christ. Through this sacred act, Christians proclaim their common faith, shared hope, and mutual love, reflecting the oneness Jesus desired for His followers.
1 Corinthians 10:17
“Because there is one loaf, our many-ness becomes one-ness—Christ doesn’t become fragmented in us. Rather, we become unified in him.”
Ephesians 4:4-6
“You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly.”
Colossians 3:15
“Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing.”
Romans 12:5
“Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s go ahead and be what we were made to be.”
John 17:21
“The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are in me and I in you.”
Remembrance of Christ’s Sacrifice
The act of partaking in Holy Communion is a solemn remembrance of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross. It calls believers to reflect on His suffering, love, and obedience, leading them to live a life of gratitude and service.
1 Corinthians 11:24
“This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me.”
Isaiah 53:5
“But it was our sins that did that to him, that ripped and tore and crushed him—our sins! He took the punishment, and that made us whole.”
1 Peter 2:24
“He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing.”
Romans 6:10
“When Jesus died, he took sin down with him, but alive he brings God down to us.”
Hebrews 10:10
“And what God wants is for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.”
Proclaiming the Lord’s Death
Holy Communion is a proclamation of Jesus’ death until He comes again. By participating in this sacred act, believers declare their faith in His atoning sacrifice and anticipate His return in glory. This proclamation serves as a testimony to the world of God’s redemptive plan through Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:26
“What you must solemnly realize is that every time you eat this bread and every time you drink this cup, you reenact in your words and actions the death of the Master.”
Matthew 24:30
“Then, the Arrival of the Son of Man! It will fill the skies—no one will miss it. Unready people all over the world, outsiders to the splendor and power, will raise a huge lament as they watch the Son of Man blazing out of heaven.”
Romans 8:34
“The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us.”
Acts 1:11
“They said, ‘This Jesus, who was taken up from among you to heaven, will come as certainly—and mysteriously—as he left.’”
1 Thessalonians 4:16
“The Master himself will give the command. Archangel thunder! God’s trumpet blast! He’ll come down from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise.”
Examination Before Participation
Before partaking in Holy Communion, believers are urged to examine their hearts and intentions. This self-reflection ensures they approach the table with reverence, purity, and a clear conscience, as the act represents deep communion with Christ and the body of believers.
1 Corinthians 11:28
“Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.”
Psalms 139:23-24
“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about.”
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups.”
James 1:22
“Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!”
Matthew 5:23-24
“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right.”
Communion as a Foretaste of Heaven
Holy Communion serves as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits believers. It symbolizes the eternal fellowship with Christ and the joy of being united with Him in His kingdom. This hope inspires Christians to live faithfully in anticipation of that glorious day.
Revelation 19:9
“The Angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those invited to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.’”
Matthew 26:29
“‘This is my last drink of wine until that day when I drink it with you in the new kingdom of my Father.’”
Luke 13:29
“Then you’ll sit down at the table of God’s kingdom, outsiders will stream in from east, west, north, and south, and sit down at the table of God’s kingdom.”
Isaiah 25:6
“But here on this mountain, God-of-the-Angel-Armies will throw a feast for all the people of the world, a feast of the finest foods, a feast with vintage wines, a feast of seven courses, a feast lavish with gourmet desserts.”
John 14:3
“If I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live.”
Christian Quotes on Holy Communion
“The Lord’s Supper is the visible gospel. The bread and the wine symbolize the body and blood of Christ offered for the salvation of the world.” – John Calvin
“When we partake of the bread and the cup, we proclaim the victory of Christ’s death until He comes again.” – Charles Spurgeon
“Communion is the golden thread tying together the family of God. It reminds us that Christ died for us all, uniting us in His love.” – Billy Graham
“Holy Communion is the meal of remembrance, hope, and grace, pulling us into deeper fellowship with Christ and one another.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
“The table of the Lord is a place of transformation, where ordinary bread and wine become extraordinary symbols of God’s grace.” – Max Lucado
“In Communion, we are drawn into the heart of God, experiencing the tangible presence of Christ in a profound and mysterious way.” – N.T. Wright
“This sacred act of breaking bread is an invitation to reflect, remember, and recommit to the covenant we share with Christ.” – Ravi Zacharias
“Holy Communion is a celebration of God’s love, an affirmation of His sacrifice, and a foretaste of the eternal banquet in heaven.” – Rick Warren
“At the Lord’s table, we do not just remember the cross, we experience its power to renew, restore, and redeem.” – Oswald Chambers
“Communion is not just about bread and wine; it is about the body and blood of Christ, offered freely for our redemption.” – Timothy Keller
Final Thought
Holy Communion is a profound expression of faith, love, and unity within the body of Christ. It invites believers to remember the sacrifice of Jesus, examine their hearts, and anticipate the eternal fellowship awaiting in heaven. As a sacred ordinance, it bridges the historical act of Christ’s atonement with the present reality of His grace and the future hope of His return. Through its rich symbolism and spiritual significance, Holy Communion draws us closer to the heart of God, reminding us of His boundless love and unchanging promise. Let us partake with reverence, gratitude, and joy.