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Home Communion

  1. The early church met in the homes of believers. Breaking bread [communion] was one of their early practices

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Acts 2:42

  1. Communion is a remembrance shared among believers. There is no need for a specially designated clergy member for an act of remembrance. We all have the status of priest if we have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and are letting Him build us up.

“you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

1 Peter 2:5

 “you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

1 Peter 2:9

  1. Communion is an act of remembrance that has special significance, so you should prepare yourself with prayer and repentance. Paul was telling a church full of sinners and controversy how to handle communion. Practicing communion can be an act of peace in your household.

“So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup.”

1 Corinthians 11:27–28

  1. What we commonly call the words of institution are taken from Paul’s instruction to the church at Corinth. They are not a special blessing, but a direct reading from the Bible. You can use them for your own celebration of Communion.

“On the night He was betrayed, Jesus took the loaf, blessed it and broke it and said, This is My body which I give freely for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

  “After the supper Jesus took the cup, blessed it and gave it to His disciples saying, This is My blood of the New Covenant given for the remission of the sins of many. Take, and drink from it.”                                                                                                                       

1 Corinthians 11:23–26