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What does communion do? 1 Cor. 11:24-26: “and when He (Jesus) had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." in the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as 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.” A portion of this last supper (Passover service – pesach) has become our communion ordinance. The ceremony points back to Christ on the cross and looks forward to Him coming again. Can the eucharist (bread and cup) forgive sins as claimed by Roman Catholics. If Jn.6 is what they claim then Jesus could have just given the bread and wine and not have had to go to the cross. This ceremony is based on something Jesus did afterwards and cannot be made into what the Catholics base their sins to be forgiven on, the Eucharist. Neither can certain Charismatic’s attribute healing powers to communion. This is basically the same concept as the Roman Catholics instead of for sin it heals bodily. Paul writes that 1 Cor. 15:3: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,” not for our healing. Nowhere does it teach that his blood paid for our healing. Mt. 26:27-28 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Eph.1:7; Col.1:4). Jesus says the cup is about his blood that is going to be for our sins. The Passover ceremony is about the lamb they slain and put his blood on the door and consumed min the meal and the bread they made that was put on their back and was baked in the sun as they were led out of Egypt. Jesus is the lamb and the bread. The cup of communion does not cleanse or heal, it as symbolic, a ceremony that represents the actual event that Jesus accomplished. We are told “the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). The cup of communion does not cleanse or heal our bodies, it as a symbol represents the actual event. If we believe communion heals absolutely then those who partake would never physically die. We die because we are not cured physically from our common sickness of sin that is still with us. If we add anything to the gospel, we have distorted it and thus come under the anathema in Galatians 1:8, 9. Jesus saves, He saves by the gospel message; the gospel is about our sins being forgiven. The ceremony of bread and wine is called “communion” from 1 Corinthians 10:16 in the: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” The Greek word translated “communion” is koinonia, which is fellowship. We acknowledge what the Lord has done for us all and are united in his body. The Lords table was found in the Tabernacle Old Testament called The table of showbread- the bread of his presence (Exod.25:30 Lev.24:5-9; Heb.9:2) Lechem pani bread of his face (his presence).It also symbolized –meals and fellowship with God. 12 loaves represented the 12 tribes on the table which represented fellowship. The communion meal is based on the last Passover the Lord Jesus held with his soon to be apostles (minus one). Luke 22:19 “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me."Its practice is found in the book of Acts Acts.2:42, 46; Acts 20:6-7 - it was done weekly on the first day of the week. It is not to be partaken by unbelievers who cannot acknowledge what the Lord has done for them, since they are without faith. There are 4 dangers mentioned for taking the Lords supper unworthily 1) Chastisement- a judgment of discipline. 2) Physical weaknesses 3) Illnesses or sickness 4) and Physical death. 1 Cor.11:29-31: “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.” There is to be self examination before partaking of it, we are to walk orderly in the light of truth. You can get sick from not taking communion correctly but you can’t be healed or become healthy from taking it correctly There are various views on the communal ceremony, The Roman Catholic views the Bread and wine literally change to the body and blood of Christ by the priest. The recipient partakes of Christ, who is being sacrificed in the Mass to atone for sins.Lutherans see it as a spiritual view. The Bread and wine contain the body and blood of Christ but do not literally change. The recipient receives forgiveness of sins and confirmation of one's faith. Reformed view- Christ is not literally present in the elements but there is a spiritual presence of Christ. Recipient receives grace through partaking of them. Most of the Evangelical church holds to the memorial view – That Christ is not physically or spiritually present. The recipient commemorates death of Christ by partaking of it. “This bread is [a “representation”] my body given for you. This do in remembrance of me.” So we Eat the bread and drink the cup: “Drink in remembrance of me.” Each time we eat and drink of these items we think of and remember what the Lord did for us. Our focus is upon his great sacrifice. 1) it is a command of Christ 2) It is a visible way of announcing the facts of the Gospel Jesus did not mean that the bread literally becomes His body and the wine His blood anymore than when He said, "I am the door," meaning he is a actual door. Nor did he ever attribute healing properties to the paschal meal that the Hebrews celebrated for 1500 years prior. Jesus gave the true significance to it: Matt 26:26-29And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you." For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." (Also Mk.14:22-25, Lk.22:19-20 , 1Cor. 11:23-26) Jesus will not partake of it with us again until the kingdom (Mt.8:11) In the meantime we should be active in another communion… ‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 2 Cor. 13:14
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