About Communion

At Christ the King, we believe, teach and confess that it is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ in, through and under the bread and wine which is distributed and received in Holy Communion according to the institution of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the night when He was betrayed, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread and when He had given thanks he broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take eat, this is my body which is given for you. This do in remembrance of me.” In the same way also He took the cup after supper and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them saying, “Drink of it all of you, this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it in remembrance of me.”

In this sacrament, forgiveness of sins, life and salvation are given to us through these words. It is not the eating and drinking alone that grant this, but the words “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins.” These words, along with the bodily eating and drinking, are the main thing in the Sacrament. Whoever believes these words has exactly what they say: “forgiveness of sins.”  Anyone who does not believe these words or doubts them is not properly prepared, spiritually speaking, to receive the sacraments.

Before coming to the Lord’s Table and receiving the Holy Sacrament, we believe proper spiritual preparation (I Corinthians 11:28) includes searching our hearts in light of God’s Word regarding the following:

(We ask ourselves…)

  1. Am I truly sorry for my sins?  It is imperative that we come to the Lord’s Supper with a contrite heart, the kind which alone is acceptable to God.  (Psalm 51:17).
  2. Do I trust that Christ gives me His true and real body and blood in this Sacrament? Jesus says:  “This IS My body, My blood.” We must believe this and not doubt what Jesus promises. (I Corinthians 11:24).
  3. Do I believe that Christ Jesus grants to me the actual forgiveness of my sins through this Sacrament? Jesus says:  “shed for many for the REMISSION OF SINS.”  We must trust that His forgiveness becomes ours in the faithful reception of this Sacrament. (Matthew 26:28).
  4. Is there anyone with whom I need to reconcile (ask forgiveness) before coming to receive the forgiveness of my Lord? Matt.5:23-24).  We believe we can not come and rightly receive Christ’s forgiveness if we sinfully hold a grudge against someone who is sorry for their sin, or if we have truly sinned against someone and yet remain  haughtily indifferent toward them.
  5. Do I promise, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to amend my sinful life with the power the Lord works in me through this Sacrament?  With the Holy Spirit’s aid, we are to put off the old man and put on the new (Ephesians 4: 22-24).

In practicing close communion, we at Christ the King seek to shepherd the souls of those who come to the Lord’s Table, and to retain the unity of all at our congregation who confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior from sin.

As the public steward of God’s gifts, our pastor will be called to account before God for his care of the souls who approach our altar to receive our Lord’s body and blood. It is our sincere desire that all people receive this blessed gift to their benefit and not their condemnation. Therefore, if you are not a member of our congregation but would like to receive the Lord’s body and blood at our altar, please call to speak with our pastor or one of our elders before the service you plan to attend.