Holy Communion

• covenant- an agreement between God and humanity, which implies making a commitment
• Old Testament covenant

  • Adam
  • Noah
  • Abraham
  • Moses
• God promised Adam over the earth and life everlasting in return for obedience
• God promised to never flood the earth again as long as Noah maintained the inherent relationship between creator and creation
• God offered protection and land to Abraham and his descendants, but they must follow the path of God. God commanded Abraham and his descendants to perform the ritual of circumcision
• God renewed the covenant he made with Abraham with Moses in return for humanity following the Ten Commandments
• The New Testament is a covenant God made with humanity
• The New Testament is a promise that God will forgive sin and restore fellowship with those whose hearts are turned towards him
• Jesus is the mediator of the New Covenant, his death is the basis of the promise (Luke 22:20)
• Mediator- helps and guides towards a resolution, does not decide the outcome but helps the people involved
• In the Roman Catholic tradition, you have to be confirmed to receive Holy Communion
• Confirmation is one of the seven sacraments that is also recognised by the Church of England
• "The effect of the sacrament of confirmation is the special outpouring of the Holy spirit" Catechism of the Catholic church
• "This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me" Luke 22:18
• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

  • Remember Jesus
  • Re-enacting the Last Supper
  • Bread represents the body, wine represents blood
  • Transubstantiation
• Sacrament- Roman Catholic/ Church of England
• Ordinance- baptists
• Became a distinct practice in Christianity, was done for the 20-25 years after Jesus's death, before the bible was written
• Titles for the Holy Communion

  • Communion (CofE)
  • Eucharist (RC)
  • Last Supper (baptist)
  • Breaking of the bread (pentacostal)
  • Holy Mass (RC)
• connotations of Holy communion

  • Divine
  • community
  • Togetherness
  • Fellowship with God
• Connotations of Eucharist

  • formal
  • important time with God
  • Thanksgiving
• Connotation of mass

  • 'Send out'
  • Sending the congregation out
• Connotations of the Lord's Supper

  • Divine
  • Reminds of relationship with God
• Connotations of the Last Supper

  • Before jesus's crucifixion
  • Symbolic
  • Re-enactment
• Church of England

  • Eucharist, Greek for 'I give thanks'
  • Prayer of thanksgiving
  • has range; can be called a range of things
• Roman Catholic Church

  • Often called mass
  • Latin for 'Go, the mass has ended'
  • takes the effects out into their lives
  • Happens away from the public; sense of the Holy
• Orthodox Church

  • called the divine liturgy
  • holy work of the people in a ritual form
  • focus on the holiness and mystery of the communication with god that only happens at Holy communion
• Baptist Church

  • called the Lord's Supper
  • community meal
  • remembers the last meal Jesus shared with his followers
• Pentecostal Church

  • most call it the breaking of the bread
  • focus on the holy spirit and community