The practice of communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, is a profound and sacred tradition within Christianity, rooted deeply in the New Testament. The scriptures that describe and inform this practice are rich with theological significance, providing a foundation for understanding its importance and role in the life of believers.
The most direct and explicit descriptions of communion are found in the Synoptic Gospels and Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. These passages recount the institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper with His disciples.
1. The Gospel of Matthew
In the Gospel of Matthew, the account of the Last Supper is provided in Matthew 26:26-29:
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.'"
This passage highlights the symbolic nature of the bread and wine, representing Jesus' body and blood, respectively. It also emphasizes the new covenant established through Christ's sacrificial death, which brings forgiveness of sins.
2. The Gospel of Mark
Similarly, the Gospel of Mark provides a parallel account in Mark 14:22-25:
"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take it; this is my body.' Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,' he said to them. 'Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.'"
Mark's account is nearly identical to Matthew's, reinforcing the significance of the bread and wine as symbols of Jesus' body and blood and the establishment of a new covenant.
3. The Gospel of Luke
The Gospel of Luke also provides an account of the Last Supper in Luke 22:14-20:
"When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. And he said to them, 'I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.' After taking the cup, he gave thanks and said, 'Take this and divide it among you. For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' 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.' In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.'"
Luke's account includes the important addition of Jesus' command to "do this in remembrance of me," which underscores the commemorative nature of the practice of communion. It is a means by which believers remember and proclaim the sacrificial death of Jesus.
4. The First Letter to the Corinthians
The Apostle Paul provides a detailed account of the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, which is particularly significant because it is the earliest written account of the event, predating the Gospels:
"For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes."
Paul's account emphasizes the continuity of the tradition, as he received it from the Lord and passed it on to the Corinthian church. It also reiterates the importance of remembrance and proclamation in the practice of communion.
5. The Gospel of John
While the Gospel of John does not provide a direct account of the institution of the Lord's Supper, it includes a significant theological discourse on the meaning of Jesus' body and blood in John 6:53-58:
"Jesus said to them, '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 up at 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, so 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.'"
This passage, often referred to as the Bread of Life Discourse, provides a deeper theological understanding of the significance of Jesus' body and blood. It emphasizes the necessity of partaking in Jesus' sacrifice for eternal life and the intimate union between Christ and the believer.
Theological Significance and Practice
The practice of communion is not merely a ritualistic observance but is imbued with deep theological meaning. It serves as a remembrance of Jesus' sacrificial death, a proclamation of His atoning work, and a means of grace through which believers experience spiritual nourishment and communion with Christ.
The Didache, an early Christian writing, provides further insight into the practice of communion in the early church. It includes prayers of thanksgiving for the bread and the cup, reflecting the communal and celebratory nature of the Eucharist (Didache 9-10).
The early church fathers, such as Justin Martyr and Ignatius of Antioch, also wrote extensively about the Eucharist, emphasizing its importance in Christian worship and its role in uniting believers with Christ and with one another. Justin Martyr, in his First Apology, describes the Eucharist as a thanksgiving offering and a participation in the body and blood of Christ (First Apology 66).
Conclusion
The scriptures provide a comprehensive and multifaceted understanding of the practice of communion. From the Synoptic Gospels' accounts of the Last Supper to Paul's detailed instructions in 1 Corinthians and John's theological discourse, the New Testament offers a rich tapestry of teachings that inform and shape the practice of communion. This sacred tradition serves as a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrificial love, a proclamation of the new covenant, and a means of experiencing the presence and grace of Christ in the life of believers.
