Communion

By Bill Scheidler

Purpose:

The purpose of this lesson is to help us understand the importance of communion as one of the
main ordinances of the church and to grow in our appreciation of what is available to every
Christian at the “Table of the Lord.”

Key Verses:

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same
night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and
said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In
the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My
blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this
bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

I. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE NAMES AND TITLES THAT ARE

HISTORICALLY GIVEN TO THIS ORDINANCE?

There are many names and titles that are associated with this ordinance; some of them are
biblical, some historical, some traditional. All of them have an element of truth to them.

A. The Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:20). It is referred to in this way because it was
at Christ’s last supper with the disciples, prior to his crucifixion, that Jesus
established this ordinance (Matthew 26:26-29) and it points to a future supper that all
believers of all ages will once again eat with Christ (Revelation 19:9, 17).

B. The Lord’s Table or the Table of the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:21). A table speaks to us
of a place of feasting, love, and fellowship. The Lord has provided a place for us to
sup with Him in an intimate way.

C. The Communion (1 Corinthians 10:16). The word “communion” means an intimate

sharing of one person with another. Communion is to be a time of intimacy with the
Lord and His Body.

D. Breaking Bread (Acts 20:7). This title refers back to when Jesus initiated communion
and He took the bread, broke it, and blessed it (Matthew 26:26).

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break
bread…” Acts 20:7

E. Other (non-biblical) terms:

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 1. Eucharist. This word comes from the Greek word which means “giving thanks” (I
Corinthians 14:16). Certainly, as we remember the Lord, thanksgiving should fill
our hearts.

2. Sacrament. This word comes from a Latin word meaning “holy” or “set apart.”
The Communion Table should certainly be hallowed and reverenced by all.

II. WHAT IS THE FOUNDATION FOR THIS ORDINANCE IN THE BIBLE?

A. From the first chapters (Genesis 3:8) to the last chapters (Revelation 21:1-3) of the
Bible, God has revealed Himself as one who delights in and desires to have intimate
fellowship and relationship with His creation.

B. Even though sin separated man from God, God has always provided a means whereby
this intimate relationship could be experienced in His house.

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8

C. In the Old Testament, at different times, God provided different avenues through
which this desire could be manifest. Two such avenues include:

1. The Altar of Sacrifice (Exodus 20:24)

2. The Table of Shewbread (Leviticus 24:5-9)

D. Under the New Covenant, the table of the Lord’s presence is the Communion Table.
The table is the only piece of furniture taken into the New Covenant celebration or
service.

III. WHAT SYMBOLS DID JESUS USE IN ESTABLISHING THE COMMUNION?

A. Bread (Luke 22:19)

1. The bread speaks of the body of Christ broken for sinful man.

2. The bread which Jesus provided is necessary for spiritual life (John 6:58).

B. Fruit of the Vine (Matthew 26:29)

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. But I say to you, I
will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new

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 with you in My Father’s kingdom.” And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to
the Mount of Olives. Matthew 26:26-30

1. The fruit of the vine speaks of the blood of Christ that was shed for sinful man for
cleansing sin (Matthew 26:28).

2. Only the blood of Jesus has the power to cleanse from sin (1 John 1:7).

IV. WHAT SPIRITUAL REALITIES ARE DEMONSTRATED AND EXPERIENCED

AT THE LORD’S TABLE?

Everything that we experience in the Christian life we experience as we exercise faith in

the Word of God. The simple act of going through a certain formality does not
accomplish anything in the spiritual realm. However, as we exercise faith in the Word of
God we should expect communion to be a very meaningful time.

A. It should be a time of Remembrance (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). As

Christians, we should continually remember the death, burial, and resurrection of
Christ and what it provided for us.

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My
body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19

B. It should be a time of Communion (1 Corinthians 10:16). All believers need to renew

and maintain a communion relationship with the Lord.

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?

C. It should be a time of Unity (1 Corinthians 10:17). At the Table believers should be

united around the Lord and recognize their interdependence and need for the spiritual
Body of Christ.

For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one
bread.

D. It should be a time of Love (Luke 22:15). Christ’s death was the highest expression of
His love for us. The Table of the Lord is a feast of His love.

Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with
you…”

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 E. It should be a time of Healing (1 Corinthians 11:28-30). The truths found at the
Table of the Lord should have healing effects on relationships among believers and
bring health to the physical body.

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to
himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick
among you, and many sleep.

F. It should be a time of Examination (1 Corinthians 11:28-32). Every believer should

examine his heart to make sure it is free from enmity toward God and enmity toward
our fellowman (Luke 22:21; 1 Corinthians 11:29).

G. It should be a time of Thanksgiving (Matthew 26:27). As we remember Christ’s

work, a new spirit of thanksgiving should be ours.

H. It should be a time of Blessing (1 Corinthians 10:16). God’s desire is to bless His

people through the blessed bread and the blessed cup.

I. It should be a time of Witness or Proclamation (1 Corinthians 11:26). Up to the

Second Coming of Christ, the practice of communion in the Church is a visible sign
and witness to the death of Christ.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death
till He comes.

V. HOW CAN A SINFUL MAN FIND A PLACE AT THE KING’S TABLE?

It is only on the basis of God’s infinite love, mercy, and grace that we can sit and feast at
the Table of the Lord. Gratitude should fill our hearts every time we share this meal
together. The magnitude of Christ’s love is symbolized in the Old Testament account of
Mephibosheth finding a place at the table of the king (2 Samuel 9:1-13).

Conclusion:

Paul the Apostle had a great love and appreciation for the Table of the Lord. His understanding
did not come because he was familiar with the procedure, because he read about it in a book, or
because he was told by a church leader. Paul’s understanding came to him by a personal
revelation by the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 11:23). As you read and meditate on the
Scriptures in this lesson, ask God to give you a personal revelation of the love of God expressed
to you in the Table of the Lord.

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