The Christian Sacrament in which consecrated bread and wine are partaken of in celebration of Jesus Christ’s Last Supper. (American Heritage Dictionary) Communion is an act or instance of Believers sharing thoughts and feelings of Jesus in His passion (suffering and death on the cross for our sin) There are three views or doctrines of The Lord’s Supper: Transubstantiation, the Catholic Doctrine that the bread and wine of the Eucharist are transformed into the true presence of Jesus Christ’s body and blood although the appearance of the two elements remains the same. That is, the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Jesus. This means the Priest has the actual power to recreate the crucifixion at the Eucharist. Consubstantiation, the Lutheran Doctrine that the body and blood of Jesus Christ coexist with the elements of bread and wine during the Eucharist. Memorial, the remembrance of a person or event. Jesus said “this do in remembrance of Me.” (1 Cor. 11:24,25) and all accounts of the Gospels.
Jesus is simple. He simply says Remember Him. He doesn’t say what happens to the bread and wine. Man added this. Beware! Most Protestant Churches protesting Catholicism or the Lutheran view hold that the bread and wine are symbolic of Spiritual Sharing or Communion with the thoughts and feelings of Jesus in His Passion and Death on the cross for our sin. What is Communion on another level? It is the simple act of eating and drinking. Eating got us into this mess (the first Adam’s disobedience) and eating and drinking the sacrificial cup of obedience by Jesus the Last Adam got us out. Communion at the Lord’s Table is a Blessing. “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 Jesus Christ?” (1 Corinthians 11: 23-34)
Believers may celebrate Holy Communion every morning or evening at home or elsewhere by first examining themselves and consecrating or praying over the bread and wine.
For every Believer is a “Believer-Priest” and has direct access to God. That is, we do not need clergy to go to God for us. We can go directly to God equally through Jesus Christ Who is our High Priest. (1 Peter 2:9). To commune oneself: Sit, stand, recline or kneel. Then recite – the same night in which He was betrayed, Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, brake it, and said, “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Then Beloved you may simply say, I (your name) take the bread, cracker or wafer symbolic of the body of Jesus broken for me I eat and in my heart I am thankful. (1 Cor. 11:24)
Next, follow with verse 25. After supper Jesus took the cup and said, “ This is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Now Beloved, you may say, I (your name) take the cup of wine or water symbolic of the blood of Jesus shed for me I drink and in my heart I am thankful. The Bible states in v. 26 “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew (proclaim, declare, preach to yourself) the Lord’s death till He come. I have communed myself at home for years, as well as partaking of the elements in church. With this reinforcement of intimacy with Jesus Christ, He becomes dearer and more personable as the years pass by.
Amen. (Oh Yes!)