What is called Holy Communion is also known as communion, the remembrance feast, remembering the Lord, etc.  It is a special request from the Lord for His followers to spend time in thought of Him and to partake of emblems that He gave to represent Himself in the death He died for us…the loaf of bread to represent His body that bore our sins, and the cup of wine to represent His blood that was shed for us.

The institution of this remembrance feast is given to us in Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-24, and Luke 22:19-20.  It is not directly mentioned in the book of John.  It is in 1 Corinthians that we have the most complete information given about this precious feast.  Let’s read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 where the Apostle Paul wrote, “For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 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. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.”

Paul’s words indicate that he was not just following the example of the Apostles whom the Lord shared this time with, but the Lord had revealed to Paul the details and His desire that this remembrance feast be continued by those who know and love Him.  We see that it was on the same night that Judas betrayed the Lord that He sat with His disciples and instituted this time of remembrance of Him.  In simplicity the Lord took a loaf of bread and a cup of wine and gave that to us to partake of in remembrance of Him.  Of course, true remembrance is found in the heart, and it is possible to go through the motions without a thought of the Lord Jesus, but He has given us these emblems that, with our hearts and minds focused on Him, we can partake of and remember Him as He desires. 

What is the correct order to observe in remembering the Lord?  The Lord wants everything to be done decently and in order (1 Cor. 14:40), but there is no exact instruction, and little example, for the Assembly in remembering the Lord.  This leaves us in dependence on the Lord to lead us in carrying out this precious feast.  A few things we do know about the proper order:

  • There was prayer and giving of thanks – Mark 14:23
  • There was explanation of the importance of the feast – 1 Cor. 11:24
  • There was singing – Matt. 26:30
  • The sisters are to participate in silence – 1 Cor. 14:34

So, who should remember the Lord and participate in this communion service?  Simply put, every grateful believer that is not living in sin should honor the Lord’s request to be remembered.  There is no age limit.  If one has accepted Christ as his savior, and understands the desire of the Lord, that person should be received into fellowship to remember the Lord with his local assembly of fellow believers.

If one is a believer, but is living in sin, he should first repent of his sins, confess this to the Lord, and then partake with those of whom he can fellowship together with in the truth of God’s Word.  The Lord desires that every grateful believer would join with the local assembly (church) and spend time in remembrance of Him.  When we meditate upon the Lord, His infinite love, and His gracious act of giving Himself for us, our hearts will be filled with gratitude, love, awe, praise, thanksgiving, and worship.  The Lord certainly is worthy of this precious time, so every believer should be instructed as to the Lord’s desire and should be encouraged to obey the Lord’s request to be remembered.  (CC)  (681.2)