The Lord’s Supper

Jesus instructed his disciples, “do this” without any ambiguity or figurative language. Therefore, we understand the Lord’s Supper to be an ordinance of the Lord.

The Lord’s Supper’s spiritually desired result is remembrance and nourishment. Jesus says, “do this in remembrance of me” to keep his work and person central to the life and worship of the church. We also believe that Jesus is spiritually present at the Lord’s Table. We encounter him at the Table and he nourishes our souls.

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 · Luke 22:19 · 1 Corinthians 10:16–17 · John 6:53–57, 63

The Lord’s Supper is a meal for the gathered church. It is a family meal that gives identity and definition to the new covenant people of God.

To take communion in isolation or outside the context of the gathered body is to ignore the intent of Scripture. The Lord’s Supper is for believers, by the sacred use of bread and wine, preceded by self-examination, to commemorate together Christ’s death and resurrection.

We cannot emphasize enough the sacred seriousness of the Lord’s Supper. It must be taken in a ‘worthy manner,’ through self-examination, judging ourselves, and discerning the body. The physical, mental, and spiritual act of taking the Lord’s Supper is formative for the body of Christ and shapes our community around the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:17, 18, 20, 33, 34 · “When you come together”

We take the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of every month during the 11:15 AM service.

When we take the Lord’s Supper everyone comes forward to receive the bread and the juice. Once seated we take the Supper together at the same time signifying our unity and equal dependence on the grace of Jesus Christ.

We, the community of believers rooted in the historic Baptist tradition, declare our faith regarding the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, commonly known as Communion. While our views align primarily with the spiritual presence understanding, we honor and respect diverse perspectives within the broader Christian community.

1. We believe that Communion is a memorial and proclamation of the Lord Jesus Christ’s death until He comes again. It is not merely a ritual, but a deep spiritual experience where believers commune with Christ and with each other.
2. We understand that the elements of bread and wine/juice symbolize the body and blood of Christ. They are not changed into His literal body and blood, nor do they contain Him in a physical sense.
3. In partaking of the bread and wine/juice, we affirm a spiritual presence of Christ during the Communion. While Christ remains in heaven at the right hand of God the Father, His Spirit is uniquely present among the believers in this sacred act.
4. This spiritual presence is not confined to the elements themselves but is profoundly experienced in the hearts and minds of the believers as they partake in faith. It is a means of grace, wherein believers are spiritually nourished, strengthened, and united more closely with Christ and one another.
5. Communion is a declaration of the Gospel. As we partake, we remember and proclaim the Lord’s death, resurrection, and promised return.
6. It serves as an avenue for self-examination and reflection, prompting believers to confess and repent of sins, thereby renewing their commitment to Christ and His teachings.
7. Through Communion, the church expresses its unity in Christ. All believers, regardless of their diverse backgrounds, come together as one body in this sacred act.
8. We encourage every believer to approach the table with humility, seeking the Lord’s guidance and preparing their hearts to experience His spiritual presence.

While we stand firm in our convictions regarding Communion, we recognize the value of inter-denominational dialogue and respect the varied views held by fellow believers. As we remember Christ’s sacrifice and await His glorious return, may we continually strive for unity and deepen our understanding of the immeasurable love of God manifested through His Son, Jesus Christ.