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What Is Communion? The Lord's Supper Explained
Bread and a cup, shared in churches every week or month for two thousand years. What communion means, where it comes from, and what to do if you are new.
Communion — also called the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist — is a simple meal of bread and wine (or grape juice) that Christians share to remember Jesus' death and celebrate His presence with them. It is one of the oldest practices of the Christian faith, handed down from Jesus Himself.
If you are new to church, communion can be the most confusing part of the service. Here is where it comes from, what it means, and what to do when the bread and cup come your way.
Where it comes from
On the night before He was crucified, Jesus shared a Passover meal with His disciples. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Then He took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
The first Christians obeyed. Acts describes them devoting themselves to “the breaking of bread,” and Paul passed on these same words to the church in Corinth. Christians have shared this meal ever since.
What it means
Remembrance: communion looks back to the cross, where Jesus' body was broken and His blood poured out for our forgiveness. Fellowship: it is shared, a sign that believers belong to Jesus and to each other. Hope: Paul says that whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
Christian traditions understand how Jesus is present in communion in different ways, from Catholic and Orthodox to Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed and Baptist churches. All of them share it because Jesus said, “Do this.”
How churches share it
Some churches celebrate communion every week, others monthly or quarterly. You might walk to the front to receive bread and a cup, have trays passed along the rows, or dip bread into a cup. Many churches offer grape juice instead of wine, and gluten-free bread is increasingly common; it is fine to ask.
Can I take communion?
Communion is for people who trust Jesus. Paul encourages believers to examine themselves before they take it — not to prove they are good enough, but to come honestly, having made things right with God and with others.
Different churches have different practices about who receives, especially regarding baptism and membership. If you are unsure, it is completely fine to let the plate pass, or to cross your arms over your chest if you go forward, which in many churches signals you would like a blessing instead. Nobody will mind, and you can ask a pastor afterwards.
If you have just come to faith
If you recently said yes to Jesus, communion is a beautiful thing to look forward to. Talk to a pastor about it, and about baptism, which many churches see as the first step before communion. Find a church where you can share this meal week after week.
New to church?
Find a church to belong to
Communion is shared in community. Here is how to find yours.
"For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."
— 1 Corinthians 11:26
Next steps
For newcomers to church life.
Questions people ask
What is communion?
Communion, also called the Lord's Supper or the Eucharist, is a meal of bread and wine or grape juice that Christians share to remember Jesus' death and celebrate His presence, as He commanded at the Last Supper.
Why do Christians take communion?
Because Jesus told His followers to “do this in remembrance of me.” It remembers His death for our forgiveness, expresses fellowship among believers and proclaims hope in His return.
Can anyone take communion?
Communion is for people who trust Jesus, and churches differ on details such as baptism or membership. If you are unsure, it is fine to let it pass and ask a pastor afterwards.
How often do churches have communion?
It varies: some churches celebrate communion every week, others monthly or quarterly.