Are You Taking Communion the Wrong Way?

What does it mean to take communion in an unworthy manner? Can anyone take communion? Is communion supposed to be taken every single service or every day? To understand communion, we must go back to the original sin.

Humanity’s fall began with eating what was forbidden, and their eyes were opened (Genesis 3). After His resurrection, Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. When Jesus broke bread with them, the Bible says in Luke 24:31, “Their eyes were opened.” They recognized who He was. In other words, Holy Communion is a time when we remember and celebrate what Jesus did on the cross for us.

Communion Is a Continuation of Passover

When we look back, we see that Holy Communion actually originated at the Jewish Passover meal. This was a time where the people of Israel recalled how God delivered them from Egypt through the blood of an innocent lamb. However, in the NT, we see that Jesus gave this meal a new meaning during the Last Supper. This communion was meant to be a shadow of humanity’s exodus from sin, curses, and the kingdom of darkness through His sacrifice.

In Luke 22:19 we see that Jesus says, “‘This is My body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’” This command was not a tradition created by church leaders but from Jesus Himself. The early church obeyed this command. We see in Acts 2:42 that, “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

When Taking Communion

• Looking Back – When we take communion, we are meant to look back, meaning that we remember what Jesus did for us. We remember how He died on the cross and became our lamb who took our sins upon Himself.
• Looking Within – 1 Corinthians 11:28 tells us to examine ourselves before taking communion. This helps us make sure our hearts are right with God.
• Looking Around – During communion, we also have to remember it’s about Jesus; it’s not about our pride or about ourselves. We have to look around and make sure that we treat our brothers and sisters properly (1 Corinthians 11:33).
• Looking Ahead – Communion also helps us to look forward to the marriage supper of the Lamb when Christ returns. 1 Corinthians 11:26 says, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.”

“Don’t Take it In an Unworthy Manner”

Now so many people have this specific question regarding communion. In Acts 2:46 we see that the early church observed communion as full meals, often called “love feasts.” Instead of the wafer that we have today, they would bring food and share meals together. However, in 1 Corinthians 11:20-22, Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their behavior at these feasts.

1 Corinthians 11:29 says, “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” The issue was not about the being unworthy but rather about the manner in which the communion was taken—selfishness and irreverence.

Wealthy believers ate their food early, while the poorer believers were excluded. Paul corrected this, emphasizing that communion should reflect unity and not this form of division in the body.

Paul told the believers in 1 Corinthians 11:33-34: “When you come together to eat, wait for one another.” Communion should be a time of reverence and fellowship.

Final Thoughts

Communion is a powerful act of faith that brings healing, deliverance, and renewal. It connects us to the sacrifice of Jesus and reminds us of His promises.

When we take it with a sincere heart, this is meant to strengthen our relationship with Christ and prepare us for His return.

Read: Church History for Beginners