Have you ever wondered how often you should take Communion as a Christian? Communion is an important part of the faith, and many people have different opinions on how often it should be practiced. In this blog, we’ll take a look at what the Bible says about the frequency of taking Communion to help you gain a better understanding of this sacrament.
Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is a sacred ritual in Christian faith where believers partake in bread and wine, symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It is a symbol of unity in the body of Christ and a means of spiritual nourishment and growth.
One of the most important aspects of communion is its connection to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. As Jesus said in Matthew 26:26-28, “Take, eat; this is my body…Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
II. HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The practice of communion has its roots in the Old Testament, where it was a sacrificial meal eaten by the priests and the people. In Exodus 12, the Lord commanded the people of Israel to eat the Passover meal to commemorate their deliverance from slavery in Egypt.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ introduced a new meaning to the ritual. During the Last Supper, which was the night before his crucifixion, Jesus took bread and wine and while he has given thanks and passed it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this is my body…Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-28).
The early Christian communities continued the practice of communion as a means of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice. In Acts 2:42, it says that the early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
III. THE FREQUENCY OF TAKING COMMUNION ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE
There is no specific command in the Bible about how often believers should take communion. However, there are several scriptural references to taking communion.
In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, apostle Paul gave instructions on how to take communion and stated that it should be done in remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice. In this passage, he does not specify how often to take communion.
In Acts 20:7, it says that the believers in Troas gathered together on the first day of the week to break bread, which could be interpreted as taking communion weekly.
Different interpretations of the frequency of taking communion exist among different denominations. Some churches take communion weekly, while others do so monthly or quarterly. The decision of how often to take communion should be made prayerfully and with guidance from church leaders.
IV. REASONS FOR TAKING COMMUNION
Communion serves several purposes for believers. It is a remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, a symbol of unity in the body of Christ, and a means of spiritual nourishment and growth.
In 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Paul writes, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” Taking communion is a symbol of the unity of believers in the body of Christ.
FACTORS INFLUENCING COMMUNION FREQUENCY
Several factors can influence how often believers take communion. Denominational practices and beliefs, personal preferences and convictions, and guidance from church leaders can all impact the frequency of taking communion.
For example, some denominations believe in the real presence of Christ in the bread and wine, while others view it as symbolic. This can impact how often they take communion.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, while there is no specific command in the Bible about how often to take communion, it is a significant and sacred ritual in Christian faith. Communion serves as a symbol of unity in the body of Christ and a means of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.