The Sacrament of Communion
The Church universal recognizes two sacraments, viz., baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper also is known as communion (since it symbolizes the communion we enjoy with God and with one another) and as the Eucharist (from a Greek word, meaning “thanksgiving”, since we should be overwhelmed with gratitude and thanks for the Lord’s sacrifice on our behalf).
In the sacrament of communion, the congregation partakes of simple elements—bread and wine—which symbolize the broken body and shed blood of Jesus Christ. These elements do not turn into Christ’s body and blood, but rather represent His body and blood.
This holy meal constitutes a reminder of what Jesus has done at the cross, in giving His life for His people. Jesus said to observe this sacrament “in remembrance of Me.”
But this holy feast is much more than a mere memorial. In a real, yet spiritual, sense, Jesus is present with His people when they partake of the bread and wine, in accordance with His appointment. The old Scottish way of referring to Jesus’ presence in the Lord’s Supper was that this sacrament is a “trysting place”—a place of deep, intimate communion between the Lord and those for whom He has died.
The Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA), reflecting not only its Scottish heritage but, most importantly, the teaching of Holy Scripture, takes these holy matters very seriously. Historically, Presbyterians have confessed that the elders of the church have a responsibility to ensure that only those who can make a valid profession of faith and have been admitted to membership in some evangelical church, be allowed to partake of the bread and the wine.
Accordingly, we ask that only those who have had opportunity to meet with representatives of the Atlanta Commission partake of this holy meal. While the individual has primary responsibility before the Lord for partaking in a worthy manner, the elders of the church also have a responsibility in the matter.
Those who have received valid Trinitarian baptism and are members of a Bible-believing church, and would like to participate in the Lord’s Supper, are invited to contact us prior to the date of observance, so that arrangements can be made for them to commune with us at the Lord’s table. Our next observance will be January 31, 2010.
If you are not eligible to partake of this sacrament on this particular Lord’s Day, we still invite you to come and worship with us, and to commune in your hearts by meditating on the great sacrifice which Jesus paid at the cross for sin. We also encourage you to make inquiry as to how you can join with us the next time we observe this sacrament.