Have you ever wondered why Christians take Holy Communion, or the Lord’s Supper? I did too once.
I remember, as a child, sitting in a wooden church pew. My legs dangled as I watched the adults line up in silence. One by one, they would take small plastic cups and pieces of bread from the pastor’s hands. Their faces were serious, almost reverent.
I didn’t understand it then, but I knew I was watching something important. That mysterious ritual was Holy Communion. After 25 years of salvation, I have seen its impact on many lives.
Now, I understand why those adults treated it with such care. What looks like a piece of bread and juice is one of the most powerful practices in the Christian faith.
Over the years, I’ve heard many stories of how Communion has changed people’s lives. I’ve seen it bring peace to troubled minds, hope to broken hearts, and healing to sick bodies. It’s more than an old church tradition. It’s a link to something greater than ourselves.
I will share five amazing benefits of taking Holy Communion that I have seen firsthand. I will explain, in simple terms, what the Bible says about it. Then, I will show you how to experience these benefits yourself.
Key Takeaways
- It prepares your heart to live by faith and to focus on the Lord.
- It brings you into an intimate fellowship with Christ.
- It activates physical healing by identifying with the broken body and blood of Jesus.
- Taking Holy Communion renews your spiritual strength to resist sin.
- You receive power over trials as you share in Christ’s overcoming life.
- Consistent communion produces ongoing spiritual vitality and fruitfulness.
5 Benefits of Taking Communion
1. Fellowship with Christ
23 The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 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.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” – 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 (NIV)
The broken bread represents Jesus’ body. Whips, thorns, and nails scourged and broke His body to pay for our healing. The cup represents the blood of Jesus, which He poured out for many to forgive our sins.
When you eat the bread and drink the cup in faith, you are taking part in Christ’s finished work. You have a deep spiritual connection with Jesus, as if you were at the cross.
In the Gospels, Jesus is revealed through breaking bread. This happens with the communion elements (see Matthew 15:32-39, Luke 24:28-35). This clearly points to fellowship through taking part in the Lord’s Supper!
This fellowship brings the power of the cross into our lives in physical, emotional, and spiritual ways. We partake of and become one with the Savior who took upon Himself our sickness, pain, sin, and death.
2. Physical Healing
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” – Isaiah 53:5 (NKJV)
Jesus’ body was broken and stripped by whips before going to the cross. He bore this brutal punishment to buy our physical healing. As you eat the bread in remembrance of Him, thank Him for your healing based on His stripes. This will release healing power into your body.
Many believers have experienced supernatural healing from various diseases. They attribute this to taking Holy Communion with revelation. It activates your healing by identifying with what Jesus did for you.
3. Strength to Resist Sin
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:5-6, NIV)
Being united with Christ in His death and resurrection is the key to overcoming sin. As you take Holy Communion, remember that Jesus put your old sinful nature to death on the cross. You died to sin and now walk in the newness of life in Him. Sin no longer has power over you.
This revelation empowers you to resist temptation and walk in righteousness. The more you affirm your new identity in Christ, the less you will fall into sin. Communion enhances your spiritual strength, enabling you to live a holy life.
4. Overcome Trials and Temptations
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV)
Jesus’ suffering and death offer a way to overcome any trial in life: hardship, sickness, poverty, and mental torment. You name it.
As you take the Lord’s Supper, you are tapping into this power for victory made available because of the cross. In Christ, you have overcome and continue to overcome!
5. Spiritual Vitality
“12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14 They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green..” (Psalms 92:12-14, NIV)
Taking Holy Communion often makes you like a tree planted by God. This tree keeps bearing fruit without end. You will flourish and remain spiritually vibrant and full of life—even into old age!
The blood of Christ, representing God’s life, flows through you as you feed on Christ through the Lord’s Supper. It’s like drinking from the fountain of youth spiritually. Communion renews you and makes you spiritually vigorous.
What Does the Bible Say About Holy Communion?
Jesus instituted Holy Communion at the Last Supper before His crucifixion. It is deeply meaningful, full of divine power, and still relevant to the church today.
Here are some key Holy Communion Scriptures:
- 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – Jesus instituted communion on the night He was betrayed. Eating the bread and drinking the cup of blessing remind us of His death as we wait for His second coming.
- John 6:53-56 – Jesus said we must eat His flesh and drink His blood to have eternal life. Communion is feeding on Him.
- 1 Corinthians 10:16 – The cup and bread represent sharing in the blood and body of Christ.
- Matthew 26:26-28 – As His disciples ate the bread, Jesus said, “This is My body.” And of the wine, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
- Acts 2:42, 46 – The early church devoted itself to breaking bread and sharing communion.
- 1 Corinthians 11:27-32 – We are to partake of Holy Communion in a worthy manner, discerning the Lord’s body and blood.
The Gospels show Jesus often meeting people’s physical needs first. He fed the multitudes, healed diseases, and delivered people from demons. Then, He addressed their spiritual condition.
Communion continues this pattern. As you take part by faith, He renews and refreshes both your body and spirit.
How to Take Holy Communion
By now, you should be convinced that taking Holy Communion offers powerful benefits. But how exactly do you receive these blessings for yourself? Here are some keys:
Do it regularly. Participate frequently to ensure you continue to experience the blessings. You can’t overdose on Christ!
Examine your heart. Don’t partake in an unworthy manner. Deal with any sin through confession and repentance. Remember the absolute sacrifice required for your redemption.
Feed on revelation. Read scriptures and meditate on the significance of the blood and body. Let the Holy Spirit give you fresh revelation. Go beyond a ritual.
Remember Christ. Keep your focus completely on Jesus and what He did for you. Discern that you were healed by His stripes. Thank Him.
Take by faith. Faith activates God’s power. Believe that as you partake, the benefits are released in and through you.
Give thanks. After partaking, continue praising and thanking the Lord for what He has done and is doing in you. Allow your faith to expand.
Holy Communion Prayer
Here is a simple prayer you can say as you prepare to partake:
“Lord Jesus, I believe that the broken bread represents your body. It was broken and stripped for my healing. And this cup of juice represents your blood, which was shed to cleanse me from all sin.
As I eat this bread and drink this cup, I eat and drink in remembrance of you. I proclaim your death, burial, and resurrection until you return.
I know that by partaking, I share in your victory over sin, sickness, death, and darkness. Strengthen me now as I feed upon you. Increase my faith to receive everything you died to provide for me. Amen.”
Conclusion
I pray this article has shown God’s purpose for Holy Communion in every believer’s life! Understand that it’s not a religious ritual. When taken with expectant faith based on the Word, it becomes a divine conduit of God’s power and presence.
As you take Holy Communion, I encourage you to look beyond the physical elements. Let your spiritual eyes be opened. See and receive all that God has for you by partaking of the blood and body of Jesus.
You can have divine health, freedom from sin, and power over trials. You can also be spiritually fruitful. It’s all wrapped up in this beautiful sacrament that the Lord has given us.
Apply these truths. I believe you will be transformed in spirit, soul, and body as you partake. Be blessed!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What does communion mean?
A. Communion means sharing or holding in common. The bread and wine represent Christ’s body and blood, which He shares with us in a close relationship.
Q. When should you not take communion?
A. If you have unconfessed sin or lack faith in Christ, do not take communion. Also, if you fail to discern the sacred meaning of the elements, do not take communion.
Q. What does the bread and wine symbolize?
A. The bread symbolizes Christ’s body, which was broken by His sufferings to buy our healing. The wine (or grape juice) symbolizes His blood, which He poured out for the forgiveness of our sins.
Q. How often should you take communion?
A. The Bible does not prescribe a frequency. Many believers take it daily, weekly, or monthly. The early church took it at regular intervals. Engage in the activity regularly to experience the benefits.
Q. Can you take communion alone?
A. Yes, you can take communion alone with just you and the Lord. His presence is with you. The corporate gathering also provides unique blessings.
Q. What happens when you take communion?
A. Partaking by faith allows us to receive Christ’s overcoming life and power. We share in His finished work—healing, righteousness, protection, and vitality.
