What We Believe

A fresh look at Holy Communion

A minister was having lunch with a retired college professor when the professor said that he looked upon Communion as a form of cannibalism. The pastor was so astounded that he decided to examine the meaning of the sacrament again.

His reexamination of the meaning of the Lord’s Supper yielded these thoughts:

1. Communion is extremely important because Jesus asked his followers to follow the practice often – in remembrance of him. (See Luke 22:19) Was that a request we should ignore?

2. Communion is significant because it reminds us of the price Christ paid for our salvation – his death on the cross. "This is my body, which is given for you" (Luke 22:19, NRSV).

3. It is also a symbol of the new covenant which God has made with us in Christ. Upon taking the cup of wine, our Lord said, "This is my blood of the new covenant" (Matthew 26:28, NRSV). He is our Lord. Communion helps us remember that we are his people, servants of the covenant-maker.

4. The sacrament is a vivid reminder that we are grateful that we are tied to Christ and look forward to his ultimate triumph on Earth. We partake of Communion joyfully, thanking God for the gift of Christ and anticipating his final victory when he shall be known worldwide as "King of kings and Lord of lords"

(Revelation 19:16, NRSV).