“After giving thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, broken for you. Do this to remember me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:24
What Does The Bible Say About Communion
The Bible teaches us that Communion is a special meal where believers remember Jesus Christ and all He has done for us. Jesus Himself started this meal when He was with His closest followers. He took bread, blessed it, broke it, and shared it with them. Then, He took a cup and passed it around. He told them that whenever they did this, they should remember Him and His great love. Through this, He was showing that He was going to give His body and blood for everyone, to forgive sins and bring people closer to God.
Communion is a time to think about Jesus, about how He suffered and died for us, and how much He loves us. When believers come together for Communion, they eat the bread and drink from the cup to honor what Jesus did. This meal is also a way for the church to feel closer to Jesus and to each other. Taking Communion reminds believers that they are a family of faith and that Jesus is at the center of their lives.
Communion is also a time to look at our hearts and ask if we are truly following Jesus in our lives. It’s a moment for believers to think about how they are living and to make sure they are treating others with love and respect. It is also a chance to ask God for forgiveness and strength to live better lives. Communion is not only about remembering the past but also about being thankful for the present and hopeful for the future with Jesus.
Each time believers take Communion, it is like a celebration of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is a time to feel close to God, to remember His promises, and to renew our faith in Him. Through this act, the Bible teaches us to keep Jesus in our hearts, to follow His ways, and to share His love with others in everything we do.
Remembering the Sacrifice of Christ
Communion is a profound reminder of Christ’s sacrifice, calling believers to remember His love and grace. These verses focus on how Jesus willingly laid down His life, offering a way for us to have eternal life. Each passage draws us to meditate on the depth of His sacrifice and the transformative power it brings to our lives.
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 one who brings a hearty appetite to this eating and drinking has eternal life and will be fit and ready for the Final Day.'”
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. Through his bruises we get healed.”
Luke 22:19
“Taking bread, he blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, given for you. Eat it in my memory.'”
John 15:13
“This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.”
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.”
Unity in the Body of Christ
Communion is not just a remembrance but also an expression of unity among believers. In Christ, we are made one body, sharing in His life and mission. These verses celebrate the unity we find in communion, a sacred bond between brothers and sisters in faith.
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.”
Romans 12:5
“Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe, we wouldn’t amount to much, would we?”
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. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all.”
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, so they might be one heart and mind with us.”
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.”
1 Corinthians 12:12
“Your body has many parts—limbs, organs, cells—but no matter how many parts you can name, you’re still one body.”
Thanksgiving in Communion
Communion is a moment to express deep gratitude for Christ’s love. As we partake, we are invited to give thanks for the grace we receive, despite our unworthiness. These verses reflect the spirit of thanksgiving that flows from understanding the sacrifice of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”
Psalm 100:4
“Enter with the password: ‘Thank you!’ Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him.”
Colossians 3:17
“Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.”
Psalm 103:2
“O my soul, bless God, don’t forget a single blessing!”
1 Corinthians 1:4
“Every time I think of you—and I think of you often!—I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus.”
Psalm 136:1
“Thank God! He deserves your thanks. His love never quits.”
Christ’s Presence in Communion
In communion, we are reminded of Christ’s presence with us, His life becoming part of ours. It is a profound mystery that Christ is near as we partake of the bread and wine. These verses help us reflect on the reality of His presence, drawing us closer to Him.
Matthew 28:20
“And I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
John 6:56
“By eating my flesh and drinking my blood you enter into me and I into you.”
Psalm 16:11
“Now you’ve got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I’m on the right way.”
John 14:18
“I will not leave you orphaned. I’m coming back.”
Romans 8:10
“It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he’ll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus?”
Psalm 23:4
“Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side.”
Forgiveness and Renewal
Communion is a time to experience the forgiveness and renewal Christ offers. As we examine our hearts, we are invited to receive His grace anew. These verses emphasize the cleansing and renewing power of God’s love through Christ’s sacrifice.
1 John 1:9
“If we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.”
Psalm 51:10
“God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.”
Matthew 26:28
“This is my blood, God’s new covenant poured out for many people for the forgiveness of sins.”
Isaiah 1:18
“‘Come. Sit down. Let’s argue this out.’ This is God’s message: ‘If your sins are blood-red, they’ll be snow-white.'”
Hebrews 10:22
“So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going.”
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.”
Examining Ourselves Before Communion
Scripture encourages us to approach communion with reverence and a clear conscience. Taking time to reflect and examine our hearts allows us to participate in a way that honors God. These verses guide us in understanding the importance of self-examination.
1 Corinthians 11:28
“Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.”
Psalm 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.”
Psalm 26:2
“Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests.”
James 1:23-24
“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.”
Galatians 6:4
“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.”
The Promise of Eternal Life
Communion is a celebration of the eternal life promised to believers through Christ’s sacrifice. As we partake in remembrance, we are also reminded of the glorious future awaiting us. These verses speak of the hope and life we have in Christ, both now and forever.
John 6:40
“This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life.”
Romans 6:23
“Work hard for sin your whole life and your pension is death. But God’s gift is real life, eternal life, delivered by Jesus.”
1 John 5:13
“My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life.”
John 11:25
“You don’t have to wait for the End. I am, right now, Resurrection and Life. The one who believes in me, even though he or she dies, will live.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
“There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
Titus 1:2
“This letter is to reaffirm God’s Word, resting in the hope of eternal life. This is the life God promised.”
Anticipating Christ’s Return
Communion not only reflects on Christ’s past sacrifice but also looks forward to His promised return. In each Communion, we celebrate with hope, longing for the day when we will be with Him forever. These verses remind us of the anticipation and joy found in the promise of Christ’s return.
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. You will be drawn back to this meal again and again until the Master returns.”
Revelation 22:12
“Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon. I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
“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.”
Hebrews 9:28
“Christ’s death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.”
Matthew 24:30
“And then, the Arrival of the Son of Man! It will fill the skies—no one will miss it. Unready people all over the world… will see the Son of Man blazing out of heaven.”
Philippians 3:20-21
“But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting for the arrival of the Savior.”
Christian Quotes on Communion
“Communion is a time to bring ourselves closer to Christ, recognizing that we are participating in His sacrifice.” – Charles Spurgeon
“As we gather at the table of communion, we are joined with believers across the world in a shared act of worship.” – Martin Luther
“Communion brings us to our knees in humility, a recognition of our need for a Savior.” – John Calvin
“In the breaking of bread, we find Christ present with us.” – Augustine
“This meal is not just a ritual but an invitation to embrace Christ’s grace anew.” – D.L. Moody
“The Lord’s Table is a reminder that the cross was not an end, but a beginning of our life in Him.” – John Wesley
“Each time we partake in communion, we declare that death has lost its sting.” – Billy Graham
“Communion is the closest experience we have to heaven on earth, for Christ is with us.” – Francis Chan
“There is a peace in communion that reminds us that all things are under His control.” – Rick Warren
“In communion, we find hope, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life.” – Max Lucado
Final Thought
Communion is an invitation to remember Christ, to reflect on His sacrifice, and to anticipate His return. As believers, we are called to approach this sacred moment with gratitude, unity, and reverence, celebrating our shared faith and the eternal hope we hold. Let every communion deepen our love and commitment to our Savior, who gave everything for us.