Communion - A Symbol Not A Sacrament (part 4)

False Teachings about Communion

Transubstantiation - This is a false teaching adopted by the Roman Catholic Church in the Lateran Council (1215 A.D.) under Pope Innocent III. They teach that the bread and cup supernaturally becomes the person of Jesus Christ. This teaching necessitates salvation by eating bread, a complete misunderstanding of Jn. 6:32-58. If followed to its logical conclusion, one can partake of Communion without sincere faith and repentance and still ‘receive Jesus.’ This is nothing less than apostasy (a turning away from the Gospel).

Consubstantiation - The presence of Jesus is with, in or under the elements of the bread and cup. Protestants affirm this doctrine and in doing so they avoid the tension created by the Catholic church. The elements do not turn into Christ, but Christ is somewhere present in the elements. This is still making Communion to be mystical when it is not.

Communion - A Symbol Not A Sacrament (part 3)

Communion cannot bestow grace on anyone; only God can do this. Grace is God’s favor. It is something that He gives, and nothing that we can earn in and of ourselves (Eph. 2:8). God has given us His only begotten Son Jesus Christ who is full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14). To receive Him as savior is the Bible way to receive grace (Jn. 1:12).

“So... why is Communion important?”

1. Remembrance - it reminds the church of the Lord’s atonement or sacrifice. The bread symbolizes His body and the cup symbolizes His blood (I Cor. 11:24-25).

2. Examination - Before participating, each believer is instructed to examine his life to ensure that he is right with God and the church (I Cor. 11:28; 31).

Communion - A Symbol Not A Sacrament (part 2)

The Lord Jesus Christ is the originator of this ordinance (I Cor. 11:23) and the church is the only institution in the New Testament whereby Communion is observed (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:20). Therefore, it is worthless to partake of the bread and cup, when one has not by faith partaken of the true Bread of Life, Jesus Christ.

In John 6:47 the Lord explained in very simple terms what He meant by partaking of His flesh and blood - “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” The language used by Jesus (i.e. ’Bread of Life’) is one of many metaphors used to describe the significance of Christ alone as being the only way of salvation (other metaphors of Christ include Jn. 8:12 ‘Light’; 10:9 ‘Door’; 10:11 ‘Shepherd’; 15:1 ‘Vine’).

Communion A Symbol Not A Sacrament (part 1)

This is another home-church-made Bible tract that our church gives out as part of our evangelism. It's called 'Communion- A Symbol not a Sacrament.'

There are several terms that are used synonymously with the word Communion - “The Lord’s Supper,” “The Lord’s Table,” and “Breaking of Bread.” Unfortunately, with the proliferation of false teachings today, Communion is misunderstood by many to be a means of receiving grace. Is Communion a sacrament? What is the purpose of Communion?

Thankfully, the Bible has the answer to all of life’s important questions. The doctrine of Communion is no exception. Just what exactly does God say about it? The answer to that question is truly what matters.