Introduction
At Masihi.Church, the Holy Communion is a cherished sacrament, a moment of deep spiritual reflection, unity, and worship. Instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ on the night before His crucifixion, the Lord’s Supper is not merely a ritual but a profound means of grace that strengthens our faith and reminds us of Christ’s sacrifice. It is an essential part of our worship, shaping our identity as believers and drawing us closer to our Saviour and to one another.
As a church deeply rooted in the Word of God, we at Masihi.Church affirm that the Holy Communion is a time to remember the atoning work of Christ, proclaim His death and resurrection, and anticipate His return. Through this sacred act, we declare our dependence on Christ, renew our commitment to Him, and rejoice in the hope we share as His redeemed people.
The Trinitarian Focus in the Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper is a reflection of God’s redemptive work through the Trinity. The Father, in His sovereign grace, sent the Son to redeem sinners. The Son, in perfect obedience, gave His life as a ransom for many. The Holy Spirit applies this salvation to our hearts, deepening our faith and sustaining us through the sacrament.
When Jesus took the bread and the cup, He said, “Take, eat; this is my body… Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:26-29). At Masihi.Church, we uphold this command with great reverence, understanding that the Holy Communion is not just about remembering an event but about participating in the ongoing work of Christ in our lives.
The Significance of the Holy Communion
Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice – Each time we gather for the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded of the immense love of Christ, who gave Himself for us. As Paul wrote, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). At Masihi.Church, we partake in the Communion with gratitude, acknowledging that our salvation is secured through the blood of Jesus.
Spiritual Nourishment and Renewal – The Holy Communion is more than a symbol; it is a means of grace that strengthens our faith. Jesus declared, “Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:56). As a community, we approach the Lord’s Table to be renewed in our walk with Christ, finding strength and encouragement for our journey of faith.
Unity in the Body of Christ – The Holy Communion unites us as one body in Christ. The early Church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:41-42). At Masihi.Church, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a family of faith, regardless of background, caste, or status, affirming that we are one in Christ.
A Call to Self-Examination and Repentance – Paul instructs believers to partake in the Lord’s Supper with a reverent heart: “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). Before coming to the Table, we encourage our members to reflect on their walk with Christ, seek forgiveness, and renew their commitment to holiness.
A Foretaste of Christ’s Return – The Holy Communion not only looks back to the cross but also forward to Christ’s return. Jesus promised, “I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). As we partake, we remind ourselves that we are pilgrims on a journey, awaiting the glorious day when we will feast with Christ in His kingdom.
Theological Implications of the Holy Communion
The Lord’s Supper is not only a sacramental practice but a doctrine with deep theological significance that shapes the faith and practice of the Church.
The Doctrine of Atonement – The Holy Communion directly connects to the substitutionary atonement of Christ. The bread and the cup represent the broken body and shed blood of Jesus, signifying His sacrifice on behalf of sinners. This affirms that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. As Paul writes, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
The Real Presence of Christ – While theological traditions vary on how Christ is present in the Holy Communion, Masihi.Church affirms the spiritual presence of Christ in a way that nourishes and strengthens believers. As Jesus said, “For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:55), indicating that partaking in the Lord’s Supper is more than a mere remembrance—it is a real participation in the life of Christ.
The Unity of the Church – The Holy Communion signifies the unity of all believers as one body in Christ. Paul emphasises this in “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:16-17). Theologically, this points to the Church as the visible representation of Christ on earth, and the Lord’s Supper as a means of affirming that unity.
Sanctification and Growth in Grace – The regular participation in the Holy Communion serves as a means of grace, strengthening the believer’s faith and drawing them closer to Christ. Dr. Sudhakar Pawar explains that the Lord’s Supper is an opportunity for believers to realign their hearts to God, growing in sanctification through this sacred act of obedience.
Eschatological Hope – The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the return of Christ and the final redemption of His people. As Jesus said, “I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:29). At Masihi.Church, we affirm that the Communion is a present means of grace with a future hope, pointing to the final banquet in the Kingdom of God.
Holy Communion in the Indian Theological Context
The Lord’s Supper has played a crucial role in the history of the Indian Church. From the early St. Thomas Christians in Kerala to present-day churches across the nation, this sacrament has been a means of affirming faith and fostering Christian unity. Indian theologians emphasise that the Lord’s Supper breaks social and caste divisions, uniting believers in one body.
At Masihi.Church, we uphold this biblical practice with reverence, ensuring that it is observed in a manner that honours Christ. Our gatherings for Communion are marked by worship, reflection, and joyful anticipation of Christ’s return. We encourage every believer to approach the Table with a heart of faith, repentance from sins, and gratitude knowing that it is a sacred moment of fellowship with the Lord and His people.
Challenges and Responses
In the Indian context, the Holy Communion carries profound significance. For many believers, especially those from non-Christian backgrounds, partaking in the Lord’s Supper is a bold declaration of their faith. Timothy Stephen highlights that, for new believers at Masihi.Church, the Lord’s Supper is often a moment of deep reflection on their journey with Christ. Dr. Sudhakar Pawar observes that it serves as a powerful testimony of one’s commitment to the Lord, sometimes leading to opposition from family and society.
Furthermore, some misunderstand the Holy Communion, either viewing it as a mere ritual or attributing saving power to the elements themselves. Paul Washer reminds us that while the Communion is deeply significant, salvation comes through faith in Christ alone. At Masihi.Church, we ensure that every believer understands the true biblical meaning of the Lord’s Supper through sound teaching and discipleship.
Conclusion
The Holy Communion is a sacred ordinance given by the Lord Jesus Christ to His Church. Rooted in the work of the Triune God, it is a time of remembrance, spiritual nourishment, unity, repentance, and anticipation of Christ’s return. At Masihi.Church, we approach this sacrament with deep reverence and gratitude, understanding that it strengthens our faith, deepens our fellowship, and reminds us of the ultimate hope we have in Christ.
As we partake in the Lord’s Supper, we declare our trust in Christ’s atoning work, our unity as His body, and our joyful expectation of His return. We invite all believers at Masihi.Church to participate with faith, humility, and a heart fixed on our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Scripture References:
- Matthew 26:26-29 – Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, symbolising His body and blood.
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – Paul’s instructions on how to observe the Lord’s Supper, emphasising remembrance and proclamation of Christ’s death.
- Luke 22:19-20 – Jesus instructs the disciples to do this in remembrance of Him.
- Acts 2:41-42 – The disciples partake in the Holy Communion as part of their worship.
- John 6:56 – The one who partakes in Christ’s body and blood abides in Him.
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 – The need for self-examination before partaking in the Lord’s Supper.
- Matthew 26:29 – The Lord’s Supper points to the future feast in God’s kingdom.