Scripture References:
- Matthew 26:17-29
- Mark 14:12-25
- Luke 22:7-38
- 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Basic Beliefs
- Seen as an ordinance- powerfully symbolic observance but not a sacrament (means of grace)
- Carried out in obedience to the command of Jesus in the context of a worship service.
- Rehearses the meal that Jesus shared with his disciples in the upper room on the night he was betrayed.
- “Do this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:25)
- Reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus (the body and the blood)
- Baptism is a once and for all event while the Lord’s Supper is practiced repeatedly to sustain and renew our faith.
- It also serves as a reminder that Jesus is still working in and through us.
- The New Testament does not specify how often we should partake in communion. And because of the autonomy of the local church, each church gets to decide how often they do it.
- Open Communion vs. Closed Communion
- Open Communion- Means the table is open to anyone. Anyone who is present can partake of the elements.
- Closed Communion- Means the table is only open to believers or members of that church depending on the practice of a particular congregation
- Because Baptists believe in the priesthood of all believers, everyone can serve each other communion. Hence, the passing of the bread and juice around the room.
- Baptists typically do not use wine, but rather use grape juice.
Other denominations Beliefs
- United Methodist Church
- Like Baptism, the United Methodists believe communion is a sacrament.
- Believe Christ is present when taking communion but does not believe in transubstantiation (that the elements literally transforms into the body and blood)
- They practice open communion.
- Memorial of Jesus’ death.
- Each church decides how often they partake in communion.
- Typically do not use wine, but rather use grape juice.
- Communion is one of the responsibilities of the pastor, but the pastor can train deacons and lay leaders to assist in serving communion.
- Presbyterians
- Like Baptism, the Presbyterians believe communion is a sacrament.
- Bread is to be a loaf of bread to represent the fullness of God’s love.
- Common cup, smaller cups, individual cups, or bread dipped can be used during communion.
- While the bread and cup are being shared, the congregation can sing or the choir may sing anthems or instrumental music can be played, appropriate Scripture passages may be read or people may be invited to pray silently.
- Communion is done weekly.
- Practice open communion
- They believe the Lord’s Supper deepens a person’s faith.
- Use wine
- Catholics
- Catholics believe in transubstantiation. When the bread and wine are blessed, they transform into the body and blood of Christ. They use John 6 as the basis for this belief.
- Because they believe in transubstantiation, after communion is over, all of the elements that have been blessed must be used.
- Closed communion- Only Catholics can partake.
- They partake in communion at every mass.
- Like Baptism, Catholics believe that communion is a sacrament.
- Use wine
- Priest places the bread either in your mouth or in your hand and then you drink from the shared cup.
- Lutheran
- Like Baptism, Lutherans believe that communion is a sacrament.
- Lutherans believe in consubstantiation. This means that the body and blood of Christ are present along with the bread and wine.
- Open Communion
- Once the bread and wine have been used for communion, Lutherans do not believe the body and blood remain present in the bread and wine.
- Use wine.
- The manner of receiving communion varies from church to church.
