What Does the Bible Say About Communion — In Biblical Context
Communion (the Lord's Supper) was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper to remember His body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins.
Communion (the Lord's Supper) was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper to remember His body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins.
"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." — 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus took bread and wine, blessed them, and gave them to His disciples saying 'This is my body... this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins' (Matthew 26:26-28). Paul records Jesus' instruction to 'do this in remembrance of me' (1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Communion looks back to the cross, inward in self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28), and forward to Christ's return — 'ye do shew the Lord's death till he come' (1 Corinthians 11:26). Christians differ on the meaning (symbolic memorial vs. real presence) and frequency, but all see it as a sacred practice instituted by Christ.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25, sits inside 1 Corinthians 11. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."
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