Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 1/30/2010

Question
Hello. I am what you call a new believer and I was wondering about the signifigance of communion. Most churches I know of do grape juice and bread every once in a while. Is it mandatory for our salvation that we partake?

Answer
Rose,

Thank you for your question and the opportunity to help. Please allow me to share with you what I have learned about communion...

The Bible teaches us of the commemoration of the Lord's Supper as a type of the broken body and shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is an ordinance showing forth the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord. The Lord's Supper consists of the elements of bread and the fruit of the vine as the symbol expressing our sharing the divine nature of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:4), as memorial of his suffering and death (1 Corinthians 11:26), and a prophecy of His second coming (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Most churches are autonomous organizations, and set communion times as the pastor is impressed by the Holy Spirit, or on a set schedule as the one you now attend. The Bible gives instruction on when to receive communion (or the Lord's supper) this way...

1 Cor. 11:25
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

The words "…as oft..." or if you will "...whenever..." do not give specific times or scheduling for communion. Therefore the Church (Baptist or otherwise) is not bound to a set time for communion.

It is my personal experience that when communion is taken too often that Believers tend to view it ritualistically instead of reverently. And if it is not taken often enough, the Believer is robbed of this spiritual opportunity to examine ones own spirit. Therefore I believe that communion is to be taken at the discretion of the Pastor as he is led by the Holy Ghost.

The recieving of communion is not mandatory to recieve or matain salvation. Salvation is recieved by Gods grace, through faith (see this link for further info http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1/HowtobecomeaChristian.dsp ). However, communion can only be recieved by Christians.

Rose, please let me know if this helps or if you have any further questions.

Elder Greg Madden