Benefits of Taking Communion

The Lord’s Supper (Communion): Meaning, Purpose, and Biblical Understanding

The Lord’s Supper, also known as Communion, is a sacred practice for believers in Jesus Christ. It is a time of remembrance, reflection, gratitude, and fellowship centered on the sacrifice of Christ.

Through Communion, believers remember the body of Jesus given for them and His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of the new covenant.

Communion points believers back to Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross.

What Is Communion?

Communion is the practice Jesus established during the Last Supper when He gave bread and the cup to His disciples and instructed them to remember Him.

“This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
Luke 22:19 KJV

The bread points to His body given for us, while the cup points to His blood and the new covenant established through His sacrifice.

“This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.”
Luke 22:20 KJV

Who Should Take Communion?

Communion is intended for believers who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ and understand the significance of His sacrifice.

Before participating, Scripture teaches believers to examine themselves before God.

  • Believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
  • Understand the meaning of His death and resurrection.
  • Approach God sincerely and reverently.
  • Examine their heart and repent of known sin.
  • Participate with gratitude rather than treating Communion casually.
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”
1 Corinthians 11:28 KJV

Self-examination does not mean a believer must somehow become perfect before taking Communion. Rather, it means approaching the Lord sincerely, recognizing the seriousness of Christ’s sacrifice, and being willing to repent where necessary.

The Meaning and Purpose of Communion

1. Remembering Jesus’ Sacrifice

Communion keeps the death of Jesus Christ at the center of Christian faith. Believers remember that their salvation came at a great cost.

2. Proclaiming the Lord’s Death

Communion is not only remembrance. Paul teaches that every time believers participate, they proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns.

“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.”
1 Corinthians 11:26 KJV

3. Remembering the New Covenant

The cup reminds believers that Jesus established the new covenant through His blood. Forgiveness and reconciliation with God are made possible through Christ.

4. Unity Within the Body of Christ

Communion also represents fellowship among believers. Though Christians are many individuals, they belong to one body in Christ.

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

5. Self-Examination and Repentance

Communion gives believers an opportunity to reflect on their walk with God, confess sin, seek forgiveness, and restore their focus on Christ.

6. Gratitude and Spiritual Reflection

Remembering the cross should produce thanksgiving. Communion creates a sacred opportunity to reflect on grace, mercy, forgiveness, and the love God demonstrated through Jesus Christ.

Taking Communion in an Unworthy Manner

Paul gave the Corinthian church a serious warning about taking Communion in an unworthy manner. The problem was not simply that imperfect people were participating, because every believer depends on grace.

The issue involved treating the Lord’s Supper carelessly, selfishly, and without properly recognizing its sacred meaning.

The lesson:
Communion should never become an empty ritual. Believers should approach it with reverence, understanding, humility, and sincere faith.

Does Communion Save Us?

Scripture teaches that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Communion does not replace repentance, faith, or the saving work of Christ.

Instead, Communion is an act of obedience and remembrance practiced by those who already trust in Jesus.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Ephesians 2:8 KJV

A Simple Way to Prepare Your Heart

  1. Spend a moment quietly before God.
  2. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice.
  3. Ask God to search your heart.
  4. Confess and repent of known sin.
  5. Forgive others where forgiveness is needed.
  6. Take the bread and cup with gratitude and remembrance.

Final Encouragement

The Lord’s Supper is more than a religious tradition. It is a sacred reminder of Jesus Christ, His sacrifice, His blood, the new covenant, and the salvation believers have through Him.

Communion should be approached with reverence, gratitude, self-examination, faith, and love.

“This do in remembrance of me.”

Communion brings our attention back to the cross and reminds us that everything begins with Jesus Christ.