Holy Communion

Holy Communion & Forgiveness of Sin

Lesson 24

Relative importance

• Assume that due to some external circumstances we only had ten minutes available for a divine service. What would you like to do during this time? Sing, pray, hear God’s word, or something else?

• The central elements in the divine service are: the forgiveness of sins & the celebration of Holy Communion

What must I do in order for the forgiveness of sins to have its full effect?

• I believe that the Apostles have received the commission to proclaim forgiveness of sins from Jesus Christ.

• I acknowledge that everything which runs counter to the will of God is sin

• I regret my sins and know that I need grace.

• I have the earnest resolution to overcome my mistakes and weaknesses.

• I have the genuine longing to be reconciled with God and my neighbour

How is the forgiveness of sins proclaimed?

• The forgiveness of sins is proclaimed through an Apostle or a priestly ministry as follows: 
  

• “In the commission of my sender, the Apostle, I proclaim unto you the glad tidings: in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, your sins are forgiven. The peace of the Risen One abide with you! Amen.” 

• After God has forgiven our sins a profound peace is laid into our souls. In this condition and in awareness of the greatness and value of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice we can worthily partake of Holy Communion.

The historical origins of Holy Communion

• The Israelites’ Easter (Passover)
  

• The first Communion (Last Supper)

• Holy Communion today

Consecration of Holy Communion

• Celebrated with unleavened bread and wine
  

• Apostle or a priestly minister consecrates bread and wine with the words:

• “In the name of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, I consecrate bread and wine for Holy Communion and lay thereupon the once brought, eternally valid sacrifice of Jesus Christ. For the Lord took bread and wine, gave thanks, and said: 'This is My body which is broken for you. This is My blood of the new covenant, which is given for many for the remission of sins. Eat and drink. Do this in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this wine, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Amen.

The significance of Holy Communion

• Holy Communion is:
  

• the fellowship with Jesus Christ for us. By worthily partaking of Holy Communion we receive the Lord Jesus within us

•  essential for the divine life within us

• (John 6:53)  Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

• [unless you believe in Me as Savior and believe in the saving power of My blood which will be shed for you]...

The powers embodied in Holy Communion

• Natural nourishment strengthens and fortifies the body
  

• Similarly, Holy Communion strengthens a human being in the effort of:

• consistently following Jesus Christ,

• overcoming evil,

• practicing reconciliation,

• and attaining the goal of faith.

The Seventh Article of Faith

• I believe that Holy Communion was instituted by the Lord Himself in memory of the once brought, fully valid sacrifice, and bitter suffering and death of Christ. The worthy partaking of Holy Communion establishes our fellowship with Jesus Christ, our Lord. It is celebrated with unleavened bread and wine; both must be consecrated and dispensed by a minister authorised by an Apostle.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following may be considered as central to a divine service?

• Holy Sealing

• Holy Communion

• The opening prayer

• The benediction

Multiple Select

What must I do in order for the forgiveness of sins to have its full effect?

• Believe that the apostles were commissioned to do this by Jesus

• Accept that all which is contrary to Gods will is sin

• Acknowledge that I sin and need grace

• Eat my vegetables because they make me strong

Multiple Choice

The forgiveness of sins may be proclaimed by any ministry

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

The Passover event commemorates

• God saving Noah and his family

• God providing the Israelites with mana in the wilderness

• God sparing the Israelites firstborn

• God opening the Red Sea for Moses

Multiple Choice

The first communion is when

• the outpouring of the Holy Spirit happened

• Jesus resurrected from the dead

• Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with the disciples

• Jesus was born

Multiple Choice

Holy Communion may also be seen as a meal of profession of the death, resurrection, and return of Jesus.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Holy Communion is both bread and wine as well as the body and blood of Christ.

• True

• False

Multiple Select

The Holy Communion:

• strengthens us in following Jesus

• help us overcome evil

• helps us reconcile with others

• helps us attain the goal of our faith