Participating in the Holy Communion is an essential source of spiritual nourishment.

The Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper, holds profound significance in the Christian faith, serving as a spiritual sacrament symbolizing the body and blood of Jesus Christ. According to John 6:53–58, Jesus proclaimed, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them on the last day. For my flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

These verses from John emphasize the spiritual nourishment and eternal life of partaking in Christ’s body and blood. The act of communion, therefore, is not merely symbolic but holds transformative power for believers.

1. Union with Christ: Communion fosters a profound collaboration with Christ. In 1 Corinthians 10:16–17, Paul writes, “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” By partaking in communion, believers are reminded of their unity with Christ and with one another as the body of Christ.
2. Remembrance of Christ’s Sacrifice: In Luke 22:19, Jesus instructs his disciples during the Last Supper, “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'” Communion serves as a solemn remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, where his body was broken, and his blood was shed for the redemption of humanity.
3. Spiritual Nourishment and Renewal: Just as physical food sustains the body, the spiritual nourishment received through communion sustains the soul. In Matthew 4:4, Jesus says, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Through communion, believers partake of the living Word made flesh, finding sustenance for their spiritual journey and renewal for their souls.
4. Healing and Wholeness: Communion is also associated with healing and wholeness. In 1 Peter 2:24, it is written, “He bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” As believers partake of the body and blood of Christ, they are reminded of the healing power found in his sacrifice and are invited to experience spiritual and emotional healing.
5. Anticipation of the Kingdom: In 1 Corinthians 11:26, Paul declares, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Communion looks backward to Christ’s sacrificial death, his second coming, and the establishment of his kingdom. It is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, where believers will commune with Christ in perfect unity for all eternity.

The Significance of Holy Communion for Mature, Born-Again Christians

Holy Communion holds profound significance in the Christian faith. It symbolizes the body and blood of Jesus Christ and serves as a sacrament of spiritual nourishment and union with Christ. While it is a central practice for believers, it is essential to recognize the importance of maturity and genuine faith in partaking in this sacred ritual. Mature, born-again Christians are called to approach the Holy Communion with reverence, understanding, and readiness of the heart, while nonbelievers should refrain from participating in this solemn sacrament.

1. Understanding of Spiritual Significance: Mature, born-again Christians deeply understand the spiritual significance of Holy Communion. They comprehend the symbolism behind the bread and wine, representing the body and blood of Christ, as well as the sacrificial nature of Christ’s death and resurrection. Their faith is rooted in the belief that communion strengthens their spiritual connection with Christ and fellow believers, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 10:16–17.
2. Personal Examination and Repentance: Before partaking in Holy Communion, mature, born-again Christians engage in self-examination and repentance, as instructed in 1 Corinthians 11:28–29: “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.” They recognize the occasion’s solemnity and seek forgiveness for sins or shortcomings, ensuring they approach the sacrament with a pure heart and sincere devotion.
3. Fellowship and Unity with the Body of Christ: Mature, born-again Christians understand that Holy Communion symbolizes fellowship and unity with the body of Christ. As stated in 1 Corinthians 10:17, “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” They recognize the importance of communal worship and partaking in the sacrament with fellow believers, strengthening their bond as members of the body of Christ.
4. Continual Spiritual Growth: Partaking in Holy Communion is integral to the spiritual growth and maturity of born-again Christians. It serves as a means of grace, nourishing their souls and empowering them to live out their faith daily. As they regularly participate in communion, they are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice and encouraged to live in holiness and obedience to God’s Word.

Nonbelievers lack the understanding, faith, and spiritual readiness to partake in Holy Communion. They cannot participate in communion with the spiritual depth and meaning that fellowship implies unless they believe in Christ and acknowledge the significance of his sacrifice. Furthermore, partaking in communion without faith can be spiritually damaging, as it may lead to superficial or disrespectful approaches to this sacred practice.

For this reason, mature, born-again believers must approach Holy Communion with reverence, understanding, and readiness. Nonbelievers should refrain from receiving this sacred sacrament until they have truly surrendered to Jesus Christ. The Holy Communion is a sacred act reserved for those who have surrendered their lives to Christ and seek to commune with him at his feet.

In conclusion, partaking in the Holy Communion, according to John 6:53–58 and other related scriptures, offers believers spiritual nourishment, union with Christ, remembrance of his sacrifice, healing, and wholeness, and anticipation of the kingdom to come. It is a sacred act that draws believers into deeper communion with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and with one another as the body of Christ.

Take Holy Communion is a ministry dedicated to teaching the body of Christ about the benefits of partaking in Holy Communion as often as possible in remembrance of Christ’s sacrificial life on earth and in anticipation of His return. Please visit their website at https://takeholycommunion.org/