{"id":46680,"date":"2022-02-17T23:06:12","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T20:06:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=46680"},"modified":"2025-05-21T20:49:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T17:49:07","slug":"is-it-really-necessary-to-partake-in-the-lords-supper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2022\/02\/17\/is-it-really-necessary-to-partake-in-the-lords-supper\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Really Necessary to Partake in the Lord\u2019s Supper?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some believers may wonder: <\/span>If I choose not to participate in the Lord\u2019s Supper for personal reasons\u2014perhaps discomfort or lack of desire\u2014but I still follow other Christian teachings, will I still be saved?<\/em><\/p>\n

This is a serious and important question, and the answer according to Scripture is clear: No\u2014deliberately refusing the Lord\u2019s Supper puts one’s salvation at risk.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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1. Some Commands in Scripture Are Optional\u2014Others Are Not<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There are teachings in the Bible that are optional<\/strong>, like marriage<\/strong>. Scripture gives principles for marriage, but it does not require everyone to marry.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 7:1\u20132<\/strong><\/p>\n

“It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Choosing not to marry is a valid and acceptable choice. It does not violate any biblical command.<\/p>\n

However, some practices are mandatory for all believers<\/strong>, and partaking in the Lord\u2019s Supper<\/strong> is one of them. Others include baptism<\/strong> and, in some traditions, foot washing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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2. The Lord\u2019s Supper Is a Command, Not a Suggestion<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Lord\u2019s Supper\u2014also called Communion\u2014is not just a church tradition. It is a command given by Jesus Himself.<\/p>\n

In John 6:53\u201354 in<\/strong>, Jesus says:<\/p>\n

\u201cMost assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.
\nWhoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is a strong and direct statement. Jesus ties eternal life and resurrection<\/strong> to participation in His body and blood\u2014symbolized in the bread and the cup.<\/p>\n

This is why deliberately avoiding the Lord\u2019s Supper<\/strong>\u2014even if you follow other commands\u2014puts you outside the promise of eternal life. You are refusing a channel of grace and obedience that Jesus said is essential.<\/p>\n

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3. We Must Obey God on His Terms, Not Ours<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Christian life is not lived on personal preferences. We don\u2019t get to say, \u201cI don\u2019t like bread,\u201d or \u201cI feel uncomfortable with wine,\u201d and excuse ourselves from the Lord\u2019s commands.<\/p>\n

When Jesus instituted the Lord\u2019s Supper, He said:<\/p>\n

Luke 22:19<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cDo this\u201d<\/strong> is a command. Just like baptism<\/strong> is not optional (Mark 16:16<\/strong>), the Lord\u2019s Supper is not optional for those who have received Christ.<\/p>\n

Avoiding these acts deliberately, even when you understand their importance, is a form of rebellion.<\/p>\n

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4. Willful Disobedience After Knowing the Truth Brings Judgment<\/strong><\/h3>\n

There may be grace for people who have never heard or been taught<\/strong> about the necessity of the Lord\u2019s Supper. But for those of us who have heard<\/strong>, understood, and still choose not to obey\u2014we are without excuse<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Hebrews 10:26<\/strong><\/p>\n

“For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

To willfully reject the Lord\u2019s Supper after knowing its importance is to knowingly reject one of Christ\u2019s commands.<\/p>\n

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5. Examine Yourself Before You Partake\u2014But Still Partake<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some avoid the Lord\u2019s Supper out of fear that they are not \u201cworthy.\u201d But Scripture does not tell us to avoid it\u2014it tells us to examine ourselves<\/strong> first and then participate.<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 11:27\u201329<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
\nBut let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
\nFor he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord\u2019s body.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We should not be casual about the Lord\u2019s Supper\u2014but we also should not avoid it. The solution is repentance and preparation<\/strong>, not disobedience.<\/p>\n

May we honor the Lord\u2019s command, walk in humility, and remain faithful until the day of His return.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grace and peace to you.<\/strong><\/p>\n