Preparing for Communion in a Christian Context

The practice of preparing for Communion, also known as the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, is a significant aspect of Christian worship that varies across different Christian traditions. The preparation involves spiritual, emotional, and sometimes physical readiness to participate in this sacred ritual ^[1].

The biblical basis for Communion is rooted in the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion, as recorded in the Gospels and 1 Corinthians. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of self-examination before partaking in the Lord's Supper, stating, "Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28) ^[10].

Tradition-Specific Preparations

Different Christian traditions have distinct approaches to preparing for Communion. The Eastern Orthodox tradition places a strong emphasis on spiritual preparation, including fasting, confession, and prayer. John of Damascus highlights the importance of being in a state of spiritual purity when approaching the Eucharist ^[7].

In contrast, the Lutheran tradition, as expressed in the Augsburg Confession, focuses on the sacramental aspect of the Lord's Supper, emphasizing faith and the forgiveness of sins. Article X of the Augsburg Confession states that the Lord's Supper is a sacrament in which the true body and blood of Christ are present ^[8].

The Reformed tradition, represented by John Calvin, stresses the importance of self-examination and a worthy reception of the sacrament. Calvin argues that spiritual eating of Christ's body is essential, which involves a deepening of faith and a sense of unity with Christ ^[6].

The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, also emphasizes the importance of being in a state of grace before receiving Communion. Aquinas argues that one should abstain from Communion if they are not properly disposed, and that spiritual reception of the sacrament is essential for those who are not able to receive it sacramentally ^[9].

Common Elements Across Traditions

Despite the differences in preparation across traditions, there are common elements that are widely recognized. Many traditions emphasize the importance of self-examination, confession, and a sense of reverence and awe when approaching the Lord's Supper ^{[4, 10]}.

The act of gathering together as a community is also a crucial aspect of preparing for Communion. The early Christian church is described as being "continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). This communal aspect is a key element in preparing for Communion across various Christian traditions ^[3].

Hermeneutical Commitments and Historical Context

The differences in preparing for Communion across traditions can be attributed to various hermeneutical commitments and historical contexts. The way a tradition interprets Scripture, particularly the institution narratives and the Pauline writings, influences its understanding of Communion and the necessary preparation.

Historical context also plays a significant role, as different traditions have developed their practices in response to their specific cultural, theological, and ecclesiastical environments. For instance, the Reformation led to a reevaluation of sacramental practices, including Communion, in Protestant traditions ^{[5, 8]}.

The practice of preparing for Communion is a complex and multifaceted aspect of Christian worship, reflecting a range of theological, historical, and cultural factors. While traditions differ in their specific approaches, they share a common concern for reverence, self-examination, and a deepening of faith in the context of this sacred ritual. The biblical call to "gather the people, sanctify the congregation" (Joel 2:16) underscores the communal and sacred nature of Communion, highlighting the need for preparation that is both personal and corporate ^[2].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Communion — Fellowship with God (Gen. 18:17-33; Ex. 33:9-11; Num. 12:7, 8), between Christ and his people (John 14:23), by the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1), of believers with one another (Eph. 4:1-6). The Lord's Supper is so called (1 Cor. 10:16, 17), because in it there is fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and of the disciples with one another.”
Joel “Joel 2:16 (BSB) — Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the aged, gather the children, even those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of Saints — According to the prayer of Christ -- Joh 17:20,21. Is with God. -- 1Jo 1:3. Saints in heaven. -- Heb 12:22-24. Each other. -- Ga 2:9; 1Jo 1:3,7. God marks, with his approval -- Mal 3:16. Christ is present in -- Mt 18:20. In public and social worship -- Ps 34:3; 55:14; Ac 1:14; Heb 10:25. In the Lord's supper -- 1Co 10:17. In holy conversation -- Mal 3:16. In prayer for each other -- 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18. In exhortation -- Col 3:16; Heb 10:25. In mutual comfort and edification -- 1Th 4:18; 5:11. In mutual sympathy and kindness -- Ro 12:15; Eph 4:32”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of the Lord's Supper — Prefigured -- Ex 12:21-28; 1Co 5:7,8. Instituted -- Mt 26:26; 1Co 11:23. Object of -- Lu 22:19; 1Co 11:24,26. Is the communion of the body and blood of Christ -- 1Co 10:16. Both bread and wine are necessary to be received in -- Mt 26:27; 1Co 11:26. Self-examination commanded before partaking of -- 1Co 11:28,31. Newness of heart and life necessary to the worthy partaking of -- 1Co 5:7,8. Partakers of, be wholly separate to God -- 1Co 10:21. Was continually partaken of, by the Church -- Ac 2:42; 20:7. Unworthy partakers of Are guilty of”
Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), 28.Of the Lord's Supper.: 28.Of the Lord's Supper.”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:2 1:26 1:27 1:31 2:7 2:7 2:17 2:18 2:23 2:23 3:7 3:9 3:12 3:15 3:15 3:15 3:22 4:4 4:7 4:10 4:13 6:3 6:5 6:6 6:18 7:21 8:21 9:6 12:12 12:17 14:18 14:18 15:1 15:1 15:5 15:17 16:9 17:7 17:7 17:10 17:10 17:13 17:15 17:27 18:2 18:23 20:3 20:7 21:1 21:12 21:24 22:1 22:8 22:16-18 23:4 23:19 24:7 24:10 26:27 27:28 27:38-39 28:12 28:20 29 30:2 31:19 31:20 31:40-41 32 32:10 32:13 32:29-30 33 34 36:22 37:18 37:28 37:33 38:18 42 43 43:14 45:5 47:9 47:9 47:29-30 48:14 48:16 49:5-6 49:18 Exodus 2:12 3:2 3”
CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 105: 45:12 45:14 48:12 53:4-5 53:8 53:8 53:8 53:9 61:1 61:1 64:4 65:1-2 65:2 65:13-16 65:16 65:16 66:1 66:1-2 66:1-2 66:7 Jeremiah 1:6 17:9 23:22 23:24 Ezekiel 27:23 37:7 44:2 Daniel 1:8-16 2:15 2:22 3:20 3:23 6:16 10:2 11:37 12:1-3 Hosea 1:6-7 13:4 13:4 Amos 3:6 Micah 1:3 Zechariah 9:9 Malachi 1:11 3:6 3:6 3:6 3:6 4:2 4:2 4:6 Matthew 1:21 1:21 1:23 1:23 1:25 2:20 3:11 3:15 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 4:2 4:4 5:3 5:5 5:8 5:17 5:17 5:17 6:25 6:26 6:33 7:6 7:18 7:23 8:3 8:3 8:30 9:2 9:4 10:6 10:15 10:16 10:22 10:28 ”
Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), Article X. Of the Lord's Supper.: Article X. Of the Lord's Supper.”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Use or Receiving of This Sacrament in General, Art. 11: Article: Whether it is lawful to abstain altogether from communion? I answer that, As stated above (Article [1]), there are two ways of receiving this sacrament namely, spiritually and sacramentally. Now it is clear that all are bound to eat it at least spiritually, because this is to be incorporated in Christ, as was said above (Question [73], Article [3], ad 1). Now spiritual eating comprises the desire or yearning for receiving this sacrament, as was said above (Article [1], ”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:28: 11:28 Before taking the Lord’s Supper, Christians should confess their sins and consider what the bread and the cup signify (11:26).”

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