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The Catechism of the New Apostolic Church
- Contents
- 8.2.1 Designations for the sacrament
- 8.2.2 Old Testament references to Holy Communion
- 8.2.3 Jesus' miracles of feeding and Holy Communion
- 8.2.4 The Passover meal
- 8.2.5 The institution of Holy Communion by Jesus Christ
- 8.2.6 Holy Communion in the first epistle to the Corinthians
- 8.2.7 The significance of bread and wine
- 8.2.8 Holy Communion as a meal of remembrance
- 8.2.9 Holy Communion as a meal of profession
- 8.2.10 Holy Communion as a meal of fellowship
- 8.2.11 Holy Communion as an eschatological meal
- 8.2.12 The real presence of the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion
- 8.2.13 The real presence of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion
- 8.2.14 The relationship between forgiveness of sins and Holy Communion
- 8.2.15 Holy Communion and the Apostle ministry
- 8.2.16 The words of consecration in Holy Communion
- 8.2.17 The celebration and receiving of Holy Communion
- 8.2.18 The prerequisites for partaking in Holy Communion
- 8.2.19 The manner in which Holy Communion is received
- 8.2.20 The effects of Holy Communion
- 8.2.21 Eligibility for partaking in Holy Communion
- 8.2.22 Communion celebrations of the churches
8.2.20 The effects of Holy Communion
Those who partake worthily of Holy Communion share in the merit acquired by Jesus Christ through His sacrifice. The believer's share in the new covenant and in the merit of Christ–which is founded upon Holy Baptism with water–is continually reinforced by partaking in Holy Communion.
Furthermore, Holy Communion guarantees fellowship of life with the Son of God. It is a visible expression and a reinforcement of life with Jesus Christ. Through His body and blood, Christ shares His nature with the believer–a nature which is distinguished by perfect strength to overcome–thereby allowing the believer to live in Christ.
On account of the real presence of the body and blood of Christ, the worthy partaking of Holy Communion establishes true fellowship with the Lord and thereby the unity of the believers, both the living and the dead, with one another (John 17: 20-21). This is also expressed in 1 Corinthians 10: 17: "For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread." This unity of the faithful created through Holy Communion is the unity with Jesus Christ, the Apostles sent by Him, and all those who have been reborn of water and the Spirit. In this fellowship of the Lord's Supper the true nature and true form of the church of Christ are thus clearly revealed (see 6.5).
At the same time, Holy Communion is an essential means of preparing for the day of Christ's return.
SUMMARY
When consecrating Holy Communion, the authorised minister speaks a liturgically fixed text based on 1 Corinthians 11: 23 et seq. and Matthew 26: 26 et seq. (8.2.16)
The body and blood of Jesus Christ is dispensed in the consecrated wafer. (8.2.17)
The basic prerequisites for partaking worthily of Holy Communion are a longing for salvation, willingness to repent, and faith. (8.2.18)
In the New Apostolic Church bread and wine are dispensed in the form of a wafer sprinkled with wine. (8.2.19)
The believer's share in the merit of Christ–which is founded upon Holy Baptism with water–is continually reinforced by partaking in Holy Communion. Holy Communion assures the fellowship of life with the Son of God and establishes the unity of the believers among one another. (8.2.20)
Holy Communion is an essential means of preparation for the return of Christ. (8.2.20)