The New Testament does not give a specific rule regarding how often Communion should be taken. In one of the main passages on the topic, the apostle Paul notes Jesus' words are simply "Do this" and "as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:24, 26).
So, the Bible gives no command regarding the frequency of Communion. At the same time, it is clear that the Lord's Supper should be practiced regularly. In the early church, it appears that congregations often shared meals together, and during these times they would observe Communion (called "love feasts" in Jude 1:12). Acts 2:42 mentions the "breaking of bread" as a daily occurrence among the first church, so Communion may have been observed on a daily basis.
Today, churches vary greatly in their frequency of Communion. Some offer Communion as part of every service, while others do so only monthly or quarterly. Since there is no specific rule regarding this practice, local churches are free to choose what is most helpful for their particular congregation.
Some churches have also chosen to offer Communion less frequently due to Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 11:27: "Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord." Paul's point in this verse is that the Lord's Supper should be taken with reverence. Communion is a practice for believers only, and is to be taken as an act of worship.
All Christians should desire to partake of the Lord's Supper regularly, as a way of remembering the sacrifice of Christ. Jesus gave His body and blood as the payment for our sins (1 Peter 3:18). When Jesus instituted the ordinance, He told us, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). He did not tell us how often.
Copyright 2011-2024 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.