Q:
Dear Pastor,
As I navigate the Church world right now, there are Communion tables everywhere I go. Is there harm in taking Communion over and over?
A:
No, not at all. Many ministers today are even making a case for taking Communion every day, as evidenced by the numerous books now written about it. I highly recommend this one: The Power of Communion: Accessing Miracles Through the Body and Blood of Jesus by Beni and Bill Johnson (2019, Destiny Image.) The strength and power imparted to us by observing this important sacrament more frequently is mostly untapped by the Protestant Church. Yet it has been acknowledged by our Catholic brothers and sisters since their founding almost two thousand years ago. The sacred celebration of the bread and the wine representing Jesus’ blood and body, poured out and broken for every human being, has a potent impact on believers each time it’s practiced. While every denomination celebrates Communion uniquely, we’re all on the same page about its meaning and significance.
Jesus instituted Communion during the last night of his life. It is also called “The Lord’s Table,” “The Lord’s Supper,” “Holy Communion” or “The Eucharist.” When we read the Bible’s account of that night, we find it to be a sorrowful yet intimate exchange between our Lord and his closest friends: “And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, ‘This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood’” (Luke 22:19, 20, NASB.) The recording of that event was documented by several biblical authors, but every detail proclaims a singular message: Christ sacrificed his life for people and asks us to never forget it. He died willingly, knowing it was the only way those left behind after his death, resurrection and ascension could ever return home to heaven as well. Certainly this soul-saving fact begs us to participate in Christ’s request to take the bread and wine whenever we can.
The Apostle Paul, once a heretic and henchman for the murdering mob of religious theologians called Pharisees, was radically encountered by Jesus even after Christ returned to heaven. Paul was destined to be the man who brought salvation to Gentiles (non-Jewish people), so Jesus made a special visit to Paul, blinding him in an instant with his glorious, supernatural light while addressing Paul’s corrupt belief system face to face. Paul instantly repented, yielded his life and became the man who opened the sheep-gate for us, the outsiders, to come to the Good Shepherd and be saved.
Later on, Paul gave us additional details concerning Communion: “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which 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 He took the cup also after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26.) We see plainly that there are no parameters surrounding the frequency of observing the sacrament of Communion. We also note that when we partake of the wine and bread in Christ’s name, we are making a spiritual announcement—we are communicating through our actions, out loud and with conviction, “Jesus died; rose again and saved me from sin and death!” I love this since, in essence, taking Communion then becomes a prophetic act of deep faith. We’re acting out an eternal truth which resides in our soul. Our Communion-proclamation is rooted in eternity and solid to our core. As Christians, it’s a strong peg we may hang our hats on. Our Easter hats J (Wink!)
Do you have a question or comment for Pastor Adrienne? Email your inquiries to: info@adriennewgreene.com. For more information & contact for bookings, please also explore: www.askpastoradrienne.com.