What are sacraments?

“Sacraments” is a term that refers to three New Testament institutions: baptism, footwashing, and Holy Communion. These three sacraments are instituted by the Lord Jesus and commanded to his followers (Mk 16:16; Jn 13:1-17; Mt 26-29).

The sacraments all involve the use of physical elements or actions.

According to the Lord’s promise, the sacraments have the effect of salvation.

In baptism, the effect of remission of sins takes place when
the believer is immersed in water in the name of Jesus Christ.
In footwashing, the believer has a part with the Lord by accepting the washing of feet in water.
In Holy Communion, the believer partakes of the eternal life of Jesus Christ.

The sacraments signify the believer’s covenantal relationship with the Lord and mark the beginning of regeneration.

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Are sacraments required for Salvation?

Some claim that since the believers in the Old Testament as well as some in the New Testament were saved without the sacraments, sacraments are not required for salvation. But is this statement true?

The command to receive the sacraments for salvation is by the Lord. His word makes them a requirement.
The rationale “if it’s not required for them, it’s not required for us” is misleading. It mistakenly puts us in the same category as believers who either lived before the command was given or who could not perform the command.

The sacraments may not have been required for them, but they are required for us, who have received the command and are able to carry them out.

The salvation of these believers in the past does not free us from our responsibility now. Each person will be judged based on what he has been given (cf Mt 11:20-24; Lk 12:47-48).

If you want to know more about Salvation, feel free to request for one by providing your name and email address below…

Come join us in the upcoming special services in True Jesus Church Singapore on the topic “Holy Communion”

新加坡真耶稣教会聚会  谈  圣餐礼

Date: 14th October, Fri 7:30pm @ Adam Road Church
Date: 22nd October, Sat 2:30pm @ Telok Kurau Church

Contact Us @
Adam Road Church 亚当路教会:
17D Adam Road Singapore 289890 Tel: 64670149

Telok Kurau Church直落古楼教会:
32 Lor H Telok Kurau Singapore 426020 Tel: 63458056

How was the Holy Communion conducted in Jesus’ times?

Is the “breaking of bread” in Acts 2:42 similar to the Holy Communion?

Yes and we have reasons to believe that it is similar to the Holy Communion. When the Holy Spirit descended on the day of Pentecost, about three thousand people were baptised and the believers were of one heart. There appeared the unity of a spirit-filled true church. The believers were determined in following the teachings of the disciples, receiving one another, breaking of bread and praying together. Breaking of bread means communion and remembrance of, the Lord. Therefore, it refers to the Holy Communion.

Who may partake of the Holy Communion?

Only those who believed and are baptised may do so. In the Old Testament, only the circumcised could eat the Passover Lamb (Ex 12:43).

What is the proper way of partaking the Holy Communion?

The Corinthians did not adhere to the correct procedure and were thus reproached by Paul for not eating the Lord’s supper in a proper manner (1 Cor 11:20). The bread and the cup are holy. Anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on Himself (1 Cor 11:29) leading to bad consequences (1 Cor 11:30), to the extent of being judged and disciplined (1 Cor 11:32).

In breaking of bread and taking the cup, there are some things we should do:

1. Be in accordance with the truth: The Lord’s supper is not meant to feed the body. It is different from secular ceremonies or festivals. It is the banquet of grace furnished by the Lord with which we remember and declare the death of Jesus. Through it, the Lord reveals His graciousness to us. We must eat (unleavened bread) and drink (cup) with recognition of the truth, lest we sin against the blood and the body of the Lord (1 Cor 11:27).

2. Self-examination: Before partaking of the bread and the cup, we must examine ourselves to determine if our conscience is not at ease. If it is so, we should wait till it finds rest (1 Cor 11:28). “If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence to go before God and receive from Him anything we ask.” (1 Jn 3:21-22)

3. Discerning: Partakers must discern the bread as the body of the Lord and the Lord’s cup, His blood. Never regard them as unholy (1 Cor 11:29). Jesus set Himself apart to be holy (Jn 17:19) – so, we should regard His body and blood as holy.

4. Waiting: The Holy Communion is to be taken together when believers meet in the church. Wait for each other with quietness and sincerity to strengthen the union (1 Cor 11:33).

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Are there specified dates and frequency of partaking of the Holy Communion?

No. The Holy Communion should be planned according to the need of the church. Some propose that it be held on the day of the Lord’s suffering. But, is it truly the day when Christ was betrayed? It is hard to determine and even if it is, there is no necessity to observe this date. It is not proper to partake if it is irrelevant as we are eating the bread of sincerity and truth in remembrance of the Lord (1 Cor 5:8). It may be more meaningful for different churches to have the Holy Communion on a chosen day, so that all the believers may jointly remember the Lord.

The breaking of bread means communion and remembrance of, the Lord.It refers to the Holy Communion and we must adhere to the correct manner of partaking it in the Lord.

If you want to know more about Holy Communion, feel free to request for one by providing your name and email address below…

In partaking the Holy Communion, what are our duties
to observe?

1. Remembering the Lord’s grace:
“…Do this in remembrance of me …do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1 Cor 11:24-25).
Certainly we should never forget the Lord’s grace at any time.
But while partaking the Holy Communion, we should experience a profound sense of remembrance. Paul said, “He loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal 2:20).

2. Declaring the Lord’s death:
“Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” (1 Cor 11:26)
Inner remembrance is coupled with outward declaration. The Lord’s propitiatory death was for all the people under heaven. Therefore, it should be declared in order that sinners believe, be reconciled to God and saved through the Lord’s life (Rom 5:10).

3. Adhering to the Lord’s covenant:
“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” (Lk 22:20)
The covenant was intended for forgiveness of sins. “And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” (Rom 11:27)
God made the covenant with ancient Israelites, who did not remain faithful to the covenant. God then turned away from them (Heb 8:9).
Now, with the blood of His Son, God has made a new covenant of forgiveness with us.
God is faithful – He cannot disown Himself. We should persist in remaining faithful to this covenant and not deliberately sin again. We should not treat the blood of the covenant that sanctified us in an unholy manner (Heb 10:26, 29).

4. Waiting for the Lord’s coming:
“…declaring the Lord’s death until He comes again.” While partaking the Holy Communion, we declare the Lord’s death and wait for His coming. For He said, “I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s kingdom.” (Mt 26:29)
So the Holy Communion enables us to look forward to the coming of Jesus Christ. We should remain alert and be prepared for His coming.

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What are the blessings in partaking the Holy Communion?

1. Communion with the Lord:
“Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ?
And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16).

2. Sustaining spiritual life:
“Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.” (Jn 6:53)
Life is gained by the Lord’s spirit. The flesh and blood of the Lord are spiritual food. “If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever.
This bread is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world.” (Jn 6:51)
This reference includes the Holy Communion.

3. Unity of the church:
Because there is one bread, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.” (1 Cor 10:17)
Since there is one bread, each partakes of the body of Christ, and in unity all form a new batch (1 Cor 5:7).
The one bread was broken, so that all of us by partaking the Holy Communion reach unity and form one body in Christ (Rom 12:5).

4. Resurrection at the last day:
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Jn 6:54, 57).  The body of the Lord lives forever.
Although He died, His body did not see decay; God has raised Him to life (Acts 2:31-32) who became the first fruit; in our partaking the Holy Communion, we will be raised to life at the last day and our bodies will be transformed to be like His glorious body (Phil 3:21; 1 Cor 15:44, 52).

The Holy Communion is a sacrament.  We have to be vigilant in partaking the Holy Communion.

If you want to know more about Holy Communion, feel free to request for one by providing your name and email address below…