Purpose

The purpose of communion is to obey the command of Jesus, “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  In the same way, also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Cor. 11:23-26 ESV)

Methodology

CBC will strive to administer communion every other week.   Creativity in the teaching setup and forms is important to keep the ordinance meaningful and to not stray into rote patterns where the significance is lost.   Married couples or singles can assist in serving communion.  

Communion logically follows baptism.  There are many understandable reasons why this order may get reversed; nevertheless, we will teach and encourage the biblical sequence.

Presence

Affirmation:    We affirm that in the act of communion, Christ is spiritually present with the believers in a unique and profound way. This presence is not physical but is real and vital to our growth in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).

Denial: We deny the doctrine of transubstantiation, which claims that the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ. Such a view misinterprets the sacrament’s nature and confuses the elements’ symbolic and spiritual significance (Matthew 26:26-28, John 6:63).

Symbolism

Affirmation: We affirm that the bread and the cup are symbols representing the body and blood of Christ, given as a sacrifice for our sins. These elements are outward signs of an inward grace (Luke 22:19-20) of the believer.  

Denial:  We deny communion has inherent power to confer grace or salvation. Communion is a means of grace as it strengthens faith and encourages spiritual growth, but it is not efficacious in and of itself (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Availability

Affirmation: We affirm that communion is a memorial act commanded by Christ and is open to all followers of Christ. Through it, we remember His death, celebrate His resurrection, and anticipate His return (1 Corinthians 11:24-26).  The elders are responsible for withholding communion from those under active church discipline.  

Denial:  We deny the practice of restricting communion to a particular denomination or group of believers. While local church membership and doctrinal alignment are important, the table is open to all who have confessed faith in Christ and are in right standing with Him (Romans 15:7, Galatians 3:28).   

Community

Affirmation:  We affirm that communion signifies our unity as the body of Christ. It is an act of fellowship and mutual edification, reinforcing our commitment to one another in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:17).

Denial: We deny any approach to communion that treats it as an individual act. Such a view undermines the privilege of the ordinance and the common unity we have in Christ (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

Personal Examination

Affirmation:  We affirm the importance of self-examination before participating in communion. Believers are called to reflect on their relationship with God and others, confessing sin and seeking reconciliation where necessary (1 Corinthians 11:28-31).  Heads of households are responsible for determining when it is appropriate for their children to be baptized and take communion.  We encourage parents to teach their children the link between salvation, baptism, and communion. 

Denial:  We deny the appropriateness of partaking in communion without personal reflection and repentance. Communion is not for unbelievers or children who have not yet come to trust Christ as Lord.  Participation in an unworthy manner can lead to spiritual (or physical) harm and dishonors the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-30).

Assembled Church and Elder Oversight:

Affirmation:  We affirm that communion should be celebrated in the context of the assembled church as a visible symbol of our corporate unity and overseen by elders who ensure that it is conducted in a manner consistent with biblical teaching and church order (1 Corinthians 11:18, 1 Timothy 3:1-7). 

Denial:  We deny that communion should be taken individually, or outside the church gathering overseen by the church elders.  Taking communion in the full gathered context values the leadership role of the elders, strengthens the local community, and ensures the doctrinal integrity of the ordinance (Hebrews 13:17, Acts 14:23). 

By affirming these truths and denying contrary errors, we seek to uphold a biblically faithful understanding and practice of communion at Cypress Bible Church.