Power of God

The sharing of Holy Communion (also called the Lord’s Supper, the Holy Eucharist, or the Lord’s Table) is a common thread binding most Christian denominations. In basic terms, Holy Communion is a ritual instituted by Jesus in which bread and wine are prayed over and then consumed by the faithful in memory of Christ. The holy meal is considered to be a sacrament in most Christian churches. Despite Holy Communion being a common practice among most Christian groups, some denominations contest what the bread and wine represent and how the ritual of Communion should be practiced due to Scripture’s ambiguity as to those specifics.

With the exception of the Quakers and the Salvation Army (denominations that do not celebrate Holy Communion), the majority of Christian denominations agree with the general aspects of Communion as outlined in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, and in Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. In particular, Christians agree that:

Christ Himself instituted the ritual of Holy Communion at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:7-21; 1 Corinthians 23-25).
Christ blessed and broke bread, and directed His disciples to, “Take and eat; this is my body” (Matthew 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:23-24).
Christ blessed a cup filled with “fruit of the vine” and told His disciples to, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:27-28; Mark 14:23-24; Luke 22:17, 20; 1 Corinthians 11:25).

Christ told His disciples to repeat this ceremony in remembrance of Him (Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:24-25).