In this video, Danny Zacharias points out that many modern churches under-emphasise the communal aspect of the Lord’s Supper. He observes that when we take the wine and the bread it is usually a solo practice done in the presence of the church, rather than an activity and experience that is truly shared. Danny also highlights the context, and corrects a common misunderstanding, of the phrase “A person must examine himself” (1 Cor. 11:28). Furthermore, he reminds us that one important function of the Lord’s Supper is the communal proclamation of “the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26).
I’m sharing this 8-minute video, because I believe that there is more to Communion or the Eucharist than what is offered in many churches today: an abbreviated, stylised, and formal commemoration. I believe we are missing out on precious opportunities for actively expressing and strengthening our fellowship and solidarity with Jesus Christ and with each other.
A transcript of Danny’s message is available on his website here.
Related Articles
Communion, Community, and Solidarity with our Persecuted Brothers and Sisters
The Meal of the New Covenant
The Passover, the Seder, and the Eucharist
New articles on Communion (and some of my Communion messages) are occasionally added here.
Please share!
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
3 thoughts on “A Communal Proclamation (1 Corinthians 11:17-34)”
Thank you for this video. It has come just at the right time.
My thought is that churches should either follow the “High Church” celebrations of the Eucharist that developed in the centuries after Christ or else the communal meals that Paul seems to be describing in 1 Cor. The halfway point that is neither truly one or the other is unsettling and unsatisfying to me. Follow either tradition or a reconstruction of the early church. But not both.
That’s so interesting, Dan.
“The halfway point that is neither truly one or the other is unsettling and unsatisfying to me.” And to me.
Well put!