How Often Should You Take Communion According To The Bible
Communion is an important part of many Christian faith practices. Seen by some as a sacrament, and by others as an ordinance, it is an observance that is set up by Jesus as an important way for believers to remember and reflect on His death and Resurrection. Of course, when and how often a person should participate in Communion is something that has been a debate since the beginning. So, what do the Bible have to say about how often one should take Communion?
History of Communion
Communion or the Lord’s Supper is an apt name to give this observance as it was often referred to by the Early Church and it reflects the words found in 1 Corinthians 11:20 where Paul runs off a liturgy for first century believers. He explains that the bread and wine symbolize the body and blood of Jesus that was sacrificed for us. This important act of remembrance then seems to have been celebrated weekly in at least one place in the ancient world.
Other biblical evidence suggests that an observance of this kind was held on a regular basis in many places. The celebration was an invitation to remember Jesus and His trial and death as an atonement for sin. This remembrance is described as something that should be done “as often as you eat” (1 Corinthians 11:26). This implies that Communion should be an ongoing and repeated occurrence.
The Institution of Communion
Jesus instituted the observance of Communion during the Last Supper, where it was shared with His disciples. In the bible, Jesus’ account of the Last Supper is recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke. It could be argued that from this, Christians can fully understand the detail of what Jesus intended Communion to be. According to the Gospels, Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that the bread was His body and the cup of wine was the symbol of His shed blood for the sins of mankind.
Jesus even set the frequency for partaking of the Lord’s Supper when He declares; “This do in remembrance of me”. From Jesus’ words it is assumed that the “doing” he speaks of are regular occurrences. This is further reiterated later in the passage when Paul says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26).
Frequency of Partaking Communion
The command of remembrance is perpetuating. So, the Bible never specifies how often to participate in Communion. However, the prevalence of communal meals in the Early Church was often observed weekly. As such, it is thought that this frequency also extended to the taking of Communion. This is also why many churches celebrate Communion on a weekly basis. As recent churches have reaffirmed the weekly celebration because of its importance, many of the same churches also practice Communion on special occasions as requested by Jesus.
The frequency of partaking Communion lies within the authority of each Christian as it is considered a personal observance. It is up to each individual to decide how often to observe the sacrament. Every person will decide at what frequency they believe they need to partake in the Lord’s Supper in order to effectively remember Jesus.
Scriptural Evidence
We can look at other biblically approved statements about partaking of Communion. For instance, Corinthians 11:25-26: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:25). Therefore, ‘whenever’ can be thought of as an open-ended invitation which means that a Christian would not be judged if they took Communion more or less than those around them.
In the context of church gatherings, Christ encourages that the bread and cup be taken together by the whole congregation since His death has such an important role in their unity. It is important to remember that taking Communion is not required by law or simply an excercise of religious formality. Instead, it is an intimate act of regular reflection between Christ and His followers.
Symbolism of Communion
The bread and wine can be seen as symbols of unity among all believers who follow in Jesus’ footsteps. They also serve as a way to remind us that Jesus chose to die for us. In general, it can be said that partaking in Communion is just one part of a larger journey of faith. Regularly experiencing Communion helps Christians remember that the bread and wine serve a greater purpose than our physical needs and reinforces the faith that Jesus gave His life and continue to sustain our spiritual needs.
As Communion serves as a symbol of faith in God, it is essential for all believers to partake in it on a regular basis in order to stay connected with Him. According to the Bible, it is your personal decision how often you should take Communion and no specific details are given. However, if you wish to truly remember the death and resurrection of Jesus, then taking Communion often enough will help you in your journey of faith.
Dispensational View
Those who hold to a dispensational view of the Bible believe that the Lord’s Supper is a church ordinance or ritual/ceremony and should be practiced as such. They further suggest that if all of the Lord’s Supper, in its full intent, is not followed than there is a risk of exalting tradition and ceremony over the true purpose of the Lord’s Supper.
Therefore, the emphasis should be more on our hearts and how we respond when we celebrate the Lord’s Supper. They believe that true communion with Christ can be obtained by focusing more on personal prayer, reflection, and meditation rather than how regular an observance is made. This view also explains that it is up to the individual individual to decide how often to take Communion.
Communion as Part of Worship
For those who are looking to take Communion as part of their worship, there is no need to feel compelled to take it weekly or on prescribed occasions. According to the Bible, Communion should be taken whenever one feels the need to remember the death and Resurrection of Jesus. It is a way to draw closer to Him and to receive grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
In the modern era, Communion is often used to bring people together. It is a time of worship, remembering Jesus’ sacrifice, and seeking a deeper understanding of what it means to be Christian. While the taking of Communion is an individual decision that is ultimately based on our faith, the Bible does encourage its regular practice.
Grace & Thanksgiving
When partaking in Communion, it is important to come to the table with a humble attitude of repentance and forgiveness in order to receive grace. Asking for God’s mercy, confessing any known sin, and expressing thanks for his sacrifice are essential elements of Communion. Therefore, expressing gratitude for our spiritual needs being met through Jesus is another reason why regularly taking Communion can be beneficial.
Models presented in the Bible suggest that Communion should be taken often enough to continue to remember that Jesus died for our sins, and the reminder of grace received through His death should be shared among all believers. Although the Bible doesn’t specify a specific frequency for taking Communion, it is clear we should take it often enough to always remain connected with the one who willingly sacrificed Himself for us on the cross.
Corporeal Presence of Christ
Hebrews 10:19-22 states “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…”. This verse reminds us that the true miracle of Communion is that we can taste and see the spiritual presence of Jesus at the table when we take the Lord’s Supper. It is this presence that reminds us of the love of Jesus and generates love and gratitude within us.
Thus, it is this corporeal presence of Jesus that should be remembered and recalled while taking Communion with other Christians. In other words, the purpose of Communion should not be dominated by how often it is taken, but more so by how deeply we can remember and feel the presence of Jesus at the table.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Bible does not mandate how often we should partake in Communion, but it does guide us in understanding how our partaking in Communion should look. We should remember that Communion is a reminder of the sacrificial death of Jesus that allows us to experience Him in our lives. In addition, it should be viewed as a way to remember the redemption we receive through His death and Resurrection. The Bible suggests that Christianity should be strengthened by participation in Communion regularly.
