The fellowship of the communion
As we receive the word proclaimed from the presbytery, we are joined, by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, to the fellowship of the presbytery, which is the fellowship of the Father and the Son. 1Jn 1:3. Having received this anointing, we know how to participate in the four dimensions of grace that are foundational to the communion. We do not need anyone to instruct us or to script us regarding our participation. 1Jn 2:20,27.
We commune together as we participate in "agape meals", from house to house. Act 2:46. We participate by giving thanks to God through prayer, and by expressing faith through confession and testimony in relation to the word of present truth. These four dimensions of fellowship - the word of present truth, the fellowship of offering, breaking bread, and prayer - are foundational to the communion. Act 2:42. Importantly, our participation in communion is not because of something supernatural being added to the bread and the wine. Nor is our participation in the communion priested to us by a clergy-style leader. Christ Himself is the great High Priest of our confession. Heb 3:1.
What does this mean for our participation in the communion? The word of God and prayer are foundational to the communion meal. They sanctify each element of fellowship. 1Ti 4:4-5. This is the purpose of saying grace before we eat our meals. We note, for example, that after receiving the word of Jesus as they journeyed to Emmaus, Cleopas and his friend insisted that Christ abide with them. As He sat at the table with them, He took bread, blessed it through prayer, broke the bread, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him. Luk 24:30-31. Similarly, in the midst of a great storm, the apostle Paul invited the crew of their doomed boat to commune with him. Act 27:35-36.
We commune together as we participate in "agape meals", from house to house. Act 2:46. We participate by giving thanks to God through prayer, and by expressing faith through confession and testimony in relation to the word of present truth. These four dimensions of fellowship - the word of present truth, the fellowship of offering, breaking bread, and prayer - are foundational to the communion. Act 2:42. Importantly, our participation in communion is not because of something supernatural being added to the bread and the wine. Nor is our participation in the communion priested to us by a clergy-style leader. Christ Himself is the great High Priest of our confession. Heb 3:1.
What does this mean for our participation in the communion? The word of God and prayer are foundational to the communion meal. They sanctify each element of fellowship. 1Ti 4:4-5. This is the purpose of saying grace before we eat our meals. We note, for example, that after receiving the word of Jesus as they journeyed to Emmaus, Cleopas and his friend insisted that Christ abide with them. As He sat at the table with them, He took bread, blessed it through prayer, broke the bread, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him. Luk 24:30-31. Similarly, in the midst of a great storm, the apostle Paul invited the crew of their doomed boat to commune with him. Act 27:35-36.
