The Basis of Communion

In his book, The Power of Communion, Derek Prince teaches on seven vital aspects of this essential sacrament of the Christian faith. The content of this month’s Teaching Legacy Letter, 'The Basis of Communion,' provides the foundation for the seven aspects Derek later explores.

A Wonderful Sacrament

Some of the most beautiful, heartrending words ever spoken by Jesus were these:

“Do this in remembrance of Me.”

These are the words He spoke the night before His crucifixion as He was breaking bread with His disciples in the Upper Room.

During these last days of His life on earth, Jesus was very intentional. He was instituting for us the most highly treasured sacrament of our Christian faith. It is vital for us as Christians to know some simple, basic truths from the Bible about this wonderful sacrament: Communion.

An Intriguing Encounter

One might assume that a study on Communion would begin with Jesus and His disciples at the Last Supper, where Jesus instituted the covenant meal of bread and wine. However, I would like to begin by examining a passage from Genesis 14, verses 17–24. These verses describe an intriguing encounter between Abram (whose name had not yet been changed to Abraham) and one of the most exciting and mysterious characters of the Old Testament, Melchizedek.

Although there is a good deal said about Melchizedek in the epistle to the Hebrews, he still remains, at the end of it all, a somewhat enigmatic figure. Many believe that this appearance in Genesis 14 was a Christophany—that is, a pre-incarnation manifestation of Jesus.

You might ask, “Why are you introducing the theme of Communion with this passage?” I want to point out to you (in case you miss it) that in this encounter between Melchizedek and Abram, Melchizedek presented to Abram the very same emblems that are at the center of every Communion service observed today—the bread and the wine.

The Priesthood of Melchizedek

With that brief background, let’s direct our attention now to the text in Genesis 14. Abram had just rescued his nephew Lot and Lot’s family, recovering all the people and all the possessions which had been carried off during a battle. We pick up the story beginning at verse 18:

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He [Melchizedek] blessed him [Abram] and said, ‘Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’ He [Abram] gave him [Melchizedek] a tenth [or a tithe] of all.” (verse 18–21)

It is interesting to note that here, we find the first use of the word priest in the Bible. The priesthood of Melchizedek was the initial priesthood, the archetype of all priesthoods. The priesthood of Levi, introduced 500 years later under the Law of Moses, was an inferior priesthood.

A Clear Connection

The writer of Hebrews draws a number of clear distinctions between the priesthood of Melchizedek and the priesthood of Levi. Most importantly, it affirms that Jesus is a priest—not after the order of Levi, but after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:17 states this clearly:

“For it is attested of Him [Jesus], ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

Interestingly enough, if you study the regulations of the Levitical priesthood, you will find that the Levitical priests never had anything to offer to God’s people which God’s people had not first offered to them. But Melchizedek offered to Abram that which Abram had never offered to Melchizedek—bread and wine.  

Having laid this groundwork, let’s now direct our attention to the description of the Lord’s Supper. We will read Matthew 26, verses 26–29, which describe the scene at the Last Supper in which Jesus instituted the Eucharist. These verses portray one of the most profound moments in all of scripture.

“While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing [or having blessed it, or having given thanks], He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.’” (Matthew 16:26–29)

The Reappearing of the First Priesthood

What was the meaning of Jesus taking the bread and then the wine and offering these elements to His disciples? What was He saying to them? He was saying, “In Me you now see the priesthood of Melchizedek reappearing. It has been held in abeyance during the period when the Law was the covenant. Now, in the New Covenant, the priesthood of Melchizedek is being restored.”

Through that act of bringing forth the bread and the wine at the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the New Covenant in His blood. As he took the cup, He said, “This is My blood of the covenant which is to be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.”

This, then, is the background from Scripture of the Lord’s Supper. It is a reinstatement of the priesthood of Melchizedek—the highest priesthood, the original priesthood. Furthermore, the emblems that He offered to His disciples were the same that Melchizedek had offered to Abram. Through Communion, Jesus reinstated the priesthood of Melchizedek—as well as the sacred elements we use in celebrating the Lord’s Supper.

Discerning the Body

I personally believe that when I partake of Communion, having met God’s conditions, then that piece of bread I am feeding upon is the body of the Lord. I am not doing something symbolic; I am doing something real. It is not just a symbol; it is the Lord’s body. That is 'discerning the body rightly' (see 1 Corinthians 11:29).

When we are observing the Lord’s Supper, you and I are supposed to see below the surface. When I look at my brother or my sister in the pew beside me or in front of me, I don’t see just a person—I see a member of the body of Christ. I see someone for whom Jesus died and shed His blood. I must realize at such a point that if I don’t appreciate and honor that person, I am grieving the heart of the Lord.

Paul brings up another important consideration in the following verse:

“But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28)

I am so glad I don’t have to examine other people. In fact, the truth is this: I have a full-time job examining myself!

Approaching the Lord’s Table

As you think about approaching the Lord’s Table, are there any attitudes in your heart for which you need to repent? Is there anybody you hate? Anybody you have not forgiven? Are you struggling with God Himself? Those issues need to be resolved.

Why don’t we deal with all these matters now in prayer together? Let’s ask God to begin to prepare our hearts right now with the following prayer:

Heavenly Father, how deeply grateful I am for this beautiful sacrament of Communion—given to us by Jesus the night before His crucifixion.

I commit myself now to partake of this sacrament more often—as a powerful way of proclaiming Your death, remembering You, anticipating Your return, recognizing Your body, participating in Your death and resurrection, sharing with all believers, and separating myself from worldly pursuits. Thank You that as I partake, I am receiving life from You and celebrating the eternal life You have brought to me.

I prepare my heart now to meet You at every opportunity I will have to partake of this wonderful sacrament of Holy Communion. Amen.