What is True Communion?

What is True Communion?


In Matthew 26:26-29 we read: "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

In Mark 14:22-25 we read: "And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And He said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of G-d."

The term "Communion" is derived from Latin communio (sharing in common). The corresponding term in Greek is κοινωνία, which is often translated as "fellowship". In Christianity, the basic meaning of the term communion is an especially close relationship of Christians, as individuals or as a Church, with G-d and with other Christians. In the Bible, the Greek term κοινωνία (koinonia) is an exclusively New Testament term, appearing nowhere in the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament known as the Septuagint. As a noun, or in its adjectival or verbal forms, it is found in 43 verses of the New Testament. In addition, the noun is found in some manuscripts (used for producing the English translation known as the King James Version, but not for more recent translations) in Ephesians 3:9.

In the New Testament, the word is applied, according to the context, to communion, sharing or fellowship with:

the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), G-d (1 John 1:6), the Trinity (1 John 1:3), Jesus, Son of G-d (1 Corinthians 1:9), his sufferings (Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:13), his future glory (1 Peter 5:1), the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14; Philippians 2:1)

the blood and the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16), pagan sacrifices and gods (1 Corinthians 10:18-20)

fellow Christians, their sufferings and the faith (Acts 2:42; Galatians 2:9; 1 John 1:3, 1:7; Hebrews 10:33; Revelation 1:9; Philemon 1:6, 1:17)

a source of spiritual favours (Romans 11:17), the gospel (1 Corinthians 9:23), light and darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14)

others' sufferings and consolation (2 Corinthians 1:7; Philippians 4:14), their evangelizing work (Philippians 1:5), their graces or privileges (Romans 15:27; Philippians 1:7), their material needs, to remedy which assistance is given (Romans 12:13, 15:26-27; 2 Corinthians 8:4, 9:13; Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:15; 1 Timothy 6:18; Hebrews 13:16)

the evil deeds of others (Matthew 23:30; Ephesians 5:11; 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 John 1:11; Revelation 18:4)

the bodily human nature all have in common (Hebrews 2:14)

a work partnership, secular or religious (Luke 5:10; 2 Corinthians 8:23)

Of these usages, Bromiley's International Standard Bible Encyclopedia selects as especially significant the following meanings:

I. Common life in general (only in Acts 2:42)
II. Communion between particular groups, the most remarkable instance of which was that between Jews and Gentiles
III. Communion in the Body and Blood of Christ
IV. Sharing in divine revelation and with G-d himself (1 John 1:1-7).

If you rely on your carnal mind to try to interpret scripture and/or to try to understand what G-d wants for you to do and/or to believe - you are going to be in continual danger of being confused and led astray. In Ephesians 4:14 we read: "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" Every religious denomination has a number of "true" doctrines peculiar to each one. Which of all these various doctrines are you going to beLIEve in and accept? Communion with G-d is the grand secret of the believer's strength and assurance you are truly where you should be and can know the truth that will set you free! You always need to carefully guard against every thing that is a counterfeit of the Truth - there are many antichrists out there (see my teaching on many antichrists). Let all men be liars but G-d be true! Always remember that communion with G-d is a totally different thing from communion with any man. You have no need for any man to teach you - you must look upon communion with G-d as a pure, abstract, independent, holy thing, above and beyond every thing earthly. "The hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father." Again, "G-d is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." (See my earlier teachings on How to Hear Jesus and How to hear Christ)

True Communion with G-d also consists of receiving the love of the Father, and loving Him in return. The prophet Zephaniah says something incredible about G-d’s love for us: “The Lord thy G-d in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in his love, He will joy over thee with singing” (Zephaniah 3:17). G-d rests in His love for His people. In Hebrew, the phrase “He will rest in his love” reads, “He shall be silent because of His love.” G-d is saying: “I’ve found my true love, and I’m totally satisfied! I don’t need to look elsewhere, because I have no complaint. I’m completely fulfilled in this relationship, and I won’t take my love back. My love is a settled matter!” G-d gets great pleasure from His people. Zephaniah testifies, “He rejoices over you with singing.” He is saying, “G-d’s love for you is so great, it puts a joyfull song on His lips."

In John Chapter 6:51-66 we see Jesus say that in order for His followers to live forever they had to eat His flesh and drink His blood. In John 6:66 (see 666) we read how some responded: "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with Him." In Revelation 3:20 we read: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." To hear Jesus - is to sup with Him. In Hebrews 5:12 we read: "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of G-d; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." A teacher is like a woman who eats food but feeds babies with her milk - we all need to hear Jesus directly (John 10:27). In doing so, as we hear Him and eat the strong meat of His flesh (John 1:14) and drink His blood - we literally become one with Him as we continue to sup with Him. (John 17:22 ; Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 4:4, 16)

What about what the denominational churches call "holy communion"? Paul asked, “Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?,” and said, “If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home” (1 Corinthians 11:22, 24). The Most High does not dwell in house made with hands, as the prophet said, “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me?” says the Lord (Acts 7:47-48). G-d, who made the world and everything in it, who is the Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made with hands (Acts 17:24). The one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he lacks conviction; and everything that is not of conviction is sin (Romans 14:23). "Let not the one who eats look down on the one who does not eat; and let not him who does not eat condemn the one who eats, for G-d has welcomed him." (Romans 14:3). What then does 1 Corinthians 11:26 mean: "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."?

The phrase "drinking of the cup" symbolizes sharing the consequences of what was in that cup. It also came to mean accepting what the king dealt out. The whole denominational world currently drinks of Babylon's cup, full of the wine of her fornications and abominations (Revelation 17:4; 18:3). Since "drinking of the cup" means accepting whatever is appointed for one to experience—both good and bad, joyful or sorrowful—all who drink of Babylon's cup will share in her terrible future. In the Bible are numerous references to this cup of G-d's wrath and how Babylon and other nations will drink from it, symbolizing the divine punishments being inflicted (Revelation 14:10; 16:19; Psalm 11:6; Isaiah 51:17, etc.). Revelation 14:10, for example, speaks of drinking "of the wine of the wrath of G-d, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation." Drinking of a cup means participating in whatever that cup contains. Those whom G-d is calling out of Babylon are asked to drink of another cup. The psalmist writes, "I will take up the cup of salvation" (Psalm 116:13). This cup has far more positive ramifications for us than the curses boiling within G-d's cup of indignation! The cup of salvation contains all the blessings of G-d, especially those of eternal life and reward in His Kingdom. G-d will not mix the contents of these two cups; they are totally incompatible. We must choose one or the other - we must choose life or death - blessing or curse! Paul says, "We cannot drink of the Lord's cup and of the cup of demons" (I Corinthians 10:21). We must totally reject this world, this Babylon and all of her harlot daughters, and that awful cup of the false denominational churches, full of abominations and of the blood of the saints (Revelation 18:6). The denominational churches are not gathered together unto Jesus - they are all gathered apart!

Jesus commands us to drink only of His cup! "Drink from it, all of you," Jesus says (Matthew 26:27). He does not say "drink the wine," but to drink of the cup. (Please read I Corinthians 10:16-23), According to Jewish tradition, when a young man and woman were to be betrothed, the groom poured wine into his cup and invited the woman to drink of it. It was up to her. If she drank from it, she was considered betrothed to him. If she did not, no marriage would take place. Paul tells the church in II Corinthians 11:2: "For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." When the bride drank of the cup, she drank of the marriage covenant or contract, accepting it. Understanding this symbolism, it is no wonder that Jesus tells His disciples: "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." As we drink of His cup to the last drop, we accept His invitation to be betrothed to Him and to be forgiven of our sins so we can be like He is—sinless, spotless and without fault in His presence at the Marriage Supper.

Yet it means far more than this! Remember that "drinking the cup" means to accept whatever that cup represented. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked three times "if it were possible remove this cup from me, nevertheless not my will but thine be done." When the mother of James and John approaches Jesus with her request to have her sons sit on each side of Jesus when He came into His Kingdom, Jesus replies with a question: "You do not know what you ask. Are you [James and John] able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They said to Him, "We are able." (Matthew 20:22) Jesus continues in verse 23:"You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on my right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father." What happened to them? James the son of Zebedee was the first apostle martyred, early on by Herod (Acts 12:2). Though John was the longest-lived of the twelve, apparently living nearly 100 years, he certainly suffered greatly at the hands of his persecutors. Not only did he spend many years in exile on the Isle of Patmos, one tradition says he miraculously survived after being boiled in oil! Beyond this, he had to watch the true church disintegrate through apostasy, divisions and persecution. Part of what Jesus' cup entails is suffering. When we drink of His cup, we are saying we are willing to suffer with Him and experience with Him whatever He ordains for us. We say that we are willing to walk down the same path He walked, with similar consequences. Are you really ready to do this? Are you really ready to drink from His cup to the very last drop dear one?

Just as Jesus died that you might live spiritually and eternally dear one; we only survive naturally by the daily death of other living creatures and plants that we eat. Every time you eat dear one, something had to be sacrificed (die) that you might live. Just so, Jesus died that you might have life and that more abundantly! We must daily break the body and shed the blood of G-d's creations. When we do this knowingly, lovingly, gratefully, prayerfully, reverently, remembering our Lord's sacrifice each of our meals becomes a sacrament. Whenever we ignore this fact, and use these plants and creatures that have died that we might live - either wastefully, destructively, greedily, ignorantly and/or without compassion and gratitude - that is condemnation and a desecration. ( Acts 2:46-47; 1 Corinthians 11:34) Whenever you eat or drink something that has given up its life that you might live - remember Jesus' sacrifice for you - Jesus died so that you might live forever.

In a Jewish home, mealtime is a hallowed service to Hashem and the table is an "altar to G-d", the food is all kosher and the food is blessed and prayers are said throughout the meal. To desecrate this sacrifice of life is to condemn ourselves to spiritual and moral loneliness and others to want.

In America food is so plentiful - people have food fights and throw away tons of food everyday! America produces twice as much food as needed per person. More than 40 percent of all food produced in America is not eaten, according to research by former University of Arizona anthropologist Timothy Jones. That amounts to more than 29 million tons of food waste each year, or enough to fill the Rose Bowl every three days. Nationwide, food scraps make up 17 percent of what we send to landfills. The average American wastes more than half a pound of food per day. When you count what’s put down the disposal, 25 percent of what enters our homes is not eaten. Every day, American restaurants throw away more than 6,000 tons of food. American food waste has significant environmental, economic, and cultural ramifications.

Wasting food squanders the time, energy, and resources — both money and oil — used to produce that food. Increasingly, great amounts of fossil fuel are used to fertilize, weed, control insect pests and diseases, harvest, and process food. Still more fuel is spent transporting food from farm to processor, wholesaler to restaurant, store to households, and finally to the landfill. It takes more than one calorie of fossil-fuel energy to yield one calorie of food. Food rotting in landfills contributes to global warming. Landfills are America’s primary source of methane emissions, and the second-largest component of landfills are organic materials. When food decomposes in a landfill, it releases methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more damaging than carbon dioxide. In addition, wet food waste is the main threat to groundwater or stream pollution in the event of a liner leak or large storm. Financially, wasted food costs America more than $100 billion annually, says the University of Arizona’s Jones. What a terrible daily desecration and shameful waste of sacrificial life! Is this how we should remeber Jesus' sacrifice?

True Communion with G-d is the right and privilege of every true believer. John felt all this happiness when he wrote: "Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ." Union to G-d, and communion with him through the Son of His love, is the source of every spiritual blessing. "If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." But, "if we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not tell the truth;" for, "He that says he abides in Him, ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." Jesus said: "I am the Light of the world; he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." "I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes on me should not abide in darkness." "While you have light, believe in the light, that you may be the children of light." If we all hear Him we will all be in the light and we all will have true fellowship with one another - because then and only then there will be no darkness or confusion - for He is the Light and He is not the Author of Confusion. Babylon simply means "confusion".

All believers, who are united to Christ by faith, can through His Holy Spirit, have direct communication and true fellowship with Him. To those of us who hear Him (John 10:27), G-d is a G-d that hears and answers our questions and prayers. As we talk with Him, He daily pours his blessings and teachings into our souls and lives. He daily fills us with His light, He daily strengthens us with His might, by his Holy Spirit He daily teaches us the truth and speaks peace to us through the blood of Jesus- and He accepts us and clothes us in His righteousness; His divine image is formed in our souls, and we are made fit for His kingdom of glory. He originally made man to talk with Him as they walked together in the Garden of Eden. What greater honor or privilege can there be, to again be admitted into the presence of the King of kings– to once again have true communion as we walk and talk with Him, whom angels worship, and before whom devils tremble! Ask Him to talk with you today dear one. But, do not ask to hear Him talk to you - if you will not continue to walk with Him and obey Him to the very last drop!


Shalom! Selah!

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." (Proverbs 6:16-19)