Holy Communion (AQA A-Level Religious Studies): Revision Notes

Holy Communion

Introduction and early practice

Holy Communion is one of the central practices of Christian worship, observed by most Christian denominations. One of the earliest written accounts comes from St Paul's letter to the Corinthians, written approximately 20-25 years after Jesus' death. In this letter, Paul describes how the Lord's Supper was already a well-established practice in the early Christian community.

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

(1 Corinthians 11:23-26)

Paul's account reveals that Holy Communion was a distinct and important practice for early Christians. He wrote to correct the Corinthian Christians who were behaving inappropriately during the service, showing that even at this early stage, the practice had significant meaning for the Christian community.

Understanding the purpose

Most Churches celebrate Holy Communion, though they understand its meaning and importance differently:

• Catholic tradition churches view it as a sacrament - a physical sign that makes God's grace actually present
• Protestant churches see it as an ordinance - a direct instruction from Jesus that Christians should follow
• Some denominations (Quakers and Salvation Army) do not celebrate it at all, believing Christians should express faith through good works rather than symbolic services

Different names reflect different meanings

Different Christian traditions use various names for Holy Communion, each reflecting their particular theological understanding:

Eucharist (Church of England)

• Comes from the Greek word eucharizo meaning "I give thanks"
• Emphasises that the most solemn part of the service is a prayer of thanksgiving

Mass (Roman Catholic Church)

• Derives from the Latin dismissal words: ite, missa est ("Go, the Mass has ended")
• Reflects the understanding that participants take the effects of the service into the world through their daily lives

Divine Liturgy (Orthodox Churches)

• Means "the holy work of the people in ritual form"
• Focuses on the holiness and mystery of communication with God

Lord's Supper (Baptist Churches)

• Makes clear that Baptists see it as a community meal
• Emphasises remembrance of the Last Supper Jesus shared with his followers

Breaking of Bread (Pentecostal Churches)

• Shows focus on sharing bread as members of a Christian community
• Reflects the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing believers together

Holy Communion in the Roman Catholic Church

Understanding as a sacrament

According to Catholic teaching, sacraments are "perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1084).

Every sacrament has three essential aspects:

• Form: the specific ritual actions and words used
• Matter: the physical substance involved
• Intent: the proper understanding and intention of the person performing it

Who can celebrate and receive

The ritual and practice

Catholic Mass follows a carefully structured liturgy:

Preparation phase:

• Readings and explanation of Bible texts
• Bread and wine brought to the altar as an offering
• The altar represents a place of sacrifice, as Mass re-enacts Christ's sacrifice on the cross

Consecration: The priest performs specific symbolic actions during the prayer of consecration:

• Epiclesis: cupping his hands over the elements to symbolically call down the Holy Spirit
• Elevation: raising the bread and wine above his head
• Genuflexion: kneeling to show reverence to the sacrament
• Repeating Jesus' words from the Last Supper

The bread used is typically unleavened wheat wafers (representing the unleavened bread of Passover), and fermented grape wine is used.

Transubstantiation and the Real Presence

Following consecration:

• The bread is broken (fraction) to re-enact how Jesus' body was broken in death
• Congregation members come forward to receive the elements
• The priest places a wafer in each person's hand or mouth
• Most also receive wine from the chalice
• Any remaining consecrated elements are treated as holy
• Leftover bread and wine are consumed prayerfully by the priest
• Vessels are carefully wiped to ensure nothing is thrown away

Spiritual significance for Catholics

For Roman Catholics, receiving Holy Communion is a profoundly spiritual act because:

• They are receiving Christ into their body
• The sacrament creates actual spiritual change in their soul
• It strengthens them spiritually to live better Christian lives

Many Catholics prepare by:

• Fasting for at least two hours (or overnight) before communion
• Confessing sins to a priest beforehand for forgiveness

Frequency and importance

Regular celebration:

• Mass is celebrated at least weekly
• Many Catholics receive communion several times per week
• Compulsory attendance at Mass on certain festivals (Christmas, Corpus Christi, All Saints' Day)

Special occasions: Catholics want to receive communion at key life moments:

• Marriage ceremonies
• Just before death
• Before undertaking spiritual or life-changing tasks
• When facing personal challenges

Families may request a mass for a deceased person, and masses can be said for special intentions.

Physical presence of Christ: In many Catholic churches, a consecrated wafer is kept after the service in:

• A tabernacle (sacred safe)
• A monstrance (special display frame)

This allows people to pray in the physical presence of Christ.

Holy Communion in the Baptist Church

Understanding as an ordinance

For Baptists, the Bible is the central focus of Christian life and worship. They believe individual Christians can learn everything they need about God and Christian living by studying the Bible carefully with prayer. This shapes their understanding of Holy Communion.

Baptists celebrate Holy Communion because Jesus said, "Do this to remember me." They see it as an ordinance - a direct instruction from Jesus that Christians should follow. However, it holds less importance than Bible reading and explanation in their worship.

The practice and approach

Leadership:

• Usually conducted by a minister
• Can be led by any person authorized by the congregation
• Does not require ordained ministry

The service: Baptist services that include the Lord's Supper follow this pattern:

• Bible readings and sermon to explain the readings
• Table prepared with cubes of bread (or broken loaf) and individual cups of grape juice (sometimes wine)
• Baptist churches typically have a communion table rather than an altar
• Minister or leader reads Jesus' words from Paul's account of the Last Supper
• The loaf may be broken while reading the narrative
• Congregation members pass the bread and wine to one another, serving each other

Little ritual or symbolism: The Baptist celebration deliberately avoids elaborate ritual because:

• Focus is on the simple memorial meal
• Emphasis is on community rather than individual spiritual transformation
• The practice reflects the straightforward account in the Bible

Who can participate

Memorialist understanding

Baptists hold a memorialist view of Holy Communion, which means:

• The bread and wine undergo no spiritual or physical change
• Elements remain plain bread and wine
• Leftovers can be thrown away or washed down the sink
• No special spiritual change occurs in those who participate

The main value of the Lord's Supper is:

• Bringing the community together
• Remembering Jesus' life and death
• Reflecting on how Jesus' death offers salvation from sin
• Strengthening community bonds

Frequency and significance

Infrequent celebration:

• Usually celebrated once a month
• Normal weekly service includes prayers, readings, and hymns
• Lord's Supper is added to this, not a separate service
• No requirement to receive communion
• Many Baptists consider it optional rather than essential

The Last Supper: significance and biblical context

And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, 'Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, 'This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' And likewise the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.'

(Luke 22:17-20)

The Jewish Passover connection

Understanding the Jewish context is essential to interpreting Jesus' actions. The Last Supper was a Passover meal, when Jews remember God freeing the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Extended meaning given by Jesus

Jesus deliberately took elements that already had symbolic meaning and gave them deeper significance for his followers:

Bread symbolism expanded:

• Originally: freedom from slavery in Egypt
• Jesus' teaching: freedom from sin through his death

Wine symbolism expanded:

• Originally: restoration from exile
• Jesus' teaching: restoration of the relationship between God and humanity

The new covenant

Luke's Gospel was written for early Christians without Jewish heritage. Luke emphasises the concept of a new covenant (Luke 22:20) - a new agreement between God and humanity symbolised by the breaking and sharing of bread. This new covenant is established through Jesus' death.

Key differences in understanding

Layers of symbolism vs. simple memorial

Catholic, Orthodox, and some Anglican Christians believe:

• Jesus instituted a formal ritual with permanent spiritual significance
• Holy Communion contains layers of symbolism:
  • Freedom from slavery
  • Freedom from sin
  • Restoration from exile
  • Restoration of relationship with God
• The bread and wine have deep spiritual significance forever after
• Highly ritualized actions help create special sacred status
• The consecrated bread becomes the actual embodiment of Christ's presence

Baptist and other Protestant Christians believe:

• Holy Communion is an uncomplicated meal shared with other disciples
• Primary purpose is to remember that Jesus died for humanity
• Jesus' words and actions are taken at face value
• Little additional symbolic meaning is added
• Community and remembrance are the key elements

Exam tips

Remember!