Communion without Christ

Q: I remember participating in communion services as a child before I made a true confession that Christ was my savior. I believe that a person of any age can make a statement as to Christ being their savior, without really understanding or accepting Christ as their savior. I believe that both my wife and son have participated in the communion service without a true understanding or true faith that Jesus is their savior.What are the ramifications of an unbeliever taking communion without saving faith in Jesus?

A: One of the biggest problems within the Christian church is a misunderstanding of the Gospel. Taking part in communion is made much more enjoyable when you understand what is being said by taking part in the ceremony. "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body (Mark 14:22)."" The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus. Jesus is the only man in all of history who had a life worthy enough for God to accept as payment for our sins because He was born sinless and lived a sinless life. He was the lamb of God, a perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. This alone sets Jesus apart from every other religious figure in the history of mankind. Abraham, Moses, Mohammad, Buddha, the Pope, or whoever you think of, did not have a life to give that would satisfy God's requirement to take away sins.

"Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them (Mark 14:23-24)." Once you have established that Jesus was the only man who had a life to give for our sins you will then realize how the shedding of His blood ushered in the New Covenant. The death of Christ was once for all and for eternity. That is why He cried out from the cross, "it is finished (John 19:30)." Because of the death of Jesus Christ there is now no sin that can ever separate a believer from God. And, for an unbeliever, there is no sin preventing them from accepting Christ as their savior, other than unbelief in Him. The ramifications of understanding this truth are far reaching. The Bible tells us that because of Christ's sacrifice "there is no longer any sacrifice for sin (Hebrews 10:18)." This means to put away our confession booths, altar calls, short accounts, repetitive prayers or whatever it is we do to continually ask God to forgive us. Not only is our continuing to ask God to forgive us a sacrifice not accepted, or required, by God, it doesn't even meet the requirement to receive God's forgiveness; the shedding of blood. Furthermore, it is not an act of faith to ask God to forgive sins He says He "will remember no more (Hebrews 10:17)."How many Christians are falsely taught that they can eat or drink condemnation on themselves if they have some hidden sin in their life at the time they eat the bread and drink of the cup?

When we eat the bread and drink from the cup it is to remind us that Jesus died for us to give His life to us. And that because of His death there is no sin that can cause that life to ever leave us. The Gospel is that "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)." The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is what is remembered when we partake in communion. It should only be taken by believers, but there are no ramifications for unbelievers taking it. I honestly believe that communion has become more of a religious duty rather than a remembrance of what Jesus Christ has done for us. Most Christians don't even understand the full Gospel much less what it is they are suppose to remember about it when taking communion. Please keep in mind that there are also no ramifications for believers not partaking in communion. Regardless of what the majority of Christianity teaches about communion you are not required to engage in it. Besides, many people are deceived into believing that taking part in communion means they are Christians. And just about everybody participates in it regardless of denomination.

May I suggest you ask yourself one question and then present that same question to both your wife and son after you have answered it for yourself. That question is "What is your understanding of the Gospel?" Your question about communion is really a question about the Gospel. Inherent in that question is discovering what is mankind's real problem that was solved by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. To help you in your discovery may I point you to a key passage in Romans 5. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life (Romans 5:8-10)!" Nobody is saved by the death of Jesus Christ. His death made salvation possible. We are saved by the life of Christ, made available to us through His resurrection. Communion is a great picture of this truth and is as good a starting place as any to begin solidifying your knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.