Brethren and Communion

How does the Brethren view communion? There are two common views. The first is the way that Lutherans and Catholics usually view the cup and bread. They are the literal body and blood of Jesus. Brethren follow in line with many in the AnaBaptist view of Communion that Communion is not literally the body and blood of Jesus but it is done in remembrance of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Brethren Reject Transubstantiation. As Jesus taught about communion, "do this in remembrance". It is remembering the sacrifice Jesus gave on the cross. Therefore, Brethren approach communion in a very special way.

First, we view communion as partaking in the life of Jesus and what He went through on the cross for us. Our focus is on His sacrifice, not on the element itself. One Old Order Brethren once shared, "The bread is who Jesus is. The Blood is what Jesus did." That is absolutely brilliant in how it is presented to us. The bread shows us the beating, the nails, cross, spear that ripped and shredded His body. The blood is what secured our salvation and forgiveness. Through the blood of Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, we are able to get forgiveness.

Second, we approach communion in limited times a year. It is not that we believe it is wrong to have communion more or less, but for us as Brethren, we want to not make communion something we grow used to or accustomed to. What Jesus did on the cross should never be something we do with a half heart, or casual glance. It should be something that causes us, as a body of believers, to reflect upon. Yes, the moment is special, but each day, the sacrifice Jesus gave on the cross should be in our minds.

Third, we approach communion in two special ways. One way we break bread is through our love feast. If you have been following this blog, or have read through it, there is a post that deals with the Brethren Love Feast. This is done two times a year. The other two times is done in the service as most other churches do. This allows the church body as a whole to share in the Communion with each other.

Brethren are fairly similar, except for our Love Feast, with other churches and denominations in regard to our communion. The focus should not be on how many times a church does communion, but instead on communion itself. If communion is not done with the right heart, mind, and purpose, then it is done in a wrong way. The Bible talks a lot about how we should approach the communion table. If someone has communion every Sunday, but they are able to keep that event in a special way, then they are doing what God wants them to do. There are some who have communion one time a year. If that is the case, make it appropriate for the reason of communion. In all things, each day should be a reminder of what Jesus gave us in His death on the cross.