Communion(talking)
Summary
Intimate fellowship and spiritual relationship, particularly between God and His people. Scripture presents communion as a mutual indwelling—God abiding with believers and believers abiding in Him—expressed in worship, prayer, and the Lord's Supper.
☩Communion with God
Scripture reveals deep communion between God and His people. 'He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty' (Psalm 16:7). Jesus promised, 'If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him' (John 14:23). This fellowship transforms the relationship from servant to friend: 'Truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ' (1 John 1:3).
☩Examples of Communion with God
Enoch 'walked with God: and he was not; for God took him' (Genesis 5:22-24). Noah found grace and walked with God (Genesis 6:9). Abraham experienced repeated divine encounters: 'The LORD appeared unto Abram' (Genesis 12:7, 17:1, 18:1). Moses spoke with God 'face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend' (Exodus 33:11). These examples demonstrate the intimacy God desires with His people.
☩Communion at the Lord's Table
Paul explicitly connects communion to the Lord's Supper: 'The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?' (1 Corinthians 10:16). Participation involves fellowship both with Christ and with fellow believers—'we being many are one bread, and one body' (1 Corinthians 10:17). This communion contrasts sharply with pagan fellowship: 'Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils' (1 Corinthians 10:21).
☩The Communion of the Holy Spirit
Paul's apostolic blessing includes 'the communion of the Holy Ghost' (2 Corinthians 13:14), expressing the trinitarian nature of Christian fellowship. The Spirit enables communion with God: 'God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father' (Galatians 4:6). Believers are joined together in communion through the Spirit (Philippians 2:1-2), sharing participation in Christ's sufferings and glory.
Related Verses14 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.James Orr (ed.), "Communion," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Communion," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).