The Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 11:20-30

Every year on February 28th, Ginger and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. Why?
Well, because that’s the day we got married—and yes, because forgetting it would definitely land me in the doghouse. We celebrate that date not just to remember a meaningful event, but to honor the lasting relationship that began on that day.
Would you not celebrate your marriage?
Your birthday?

1. Radically Open Communion (Open Table)
This approach aims to be “fully inclusive.” These churches invite anyone and everyone to take part in communion, regardless of their spiritual condition or ongoing sin.

2. Closed Communion
This more legalistic approach restricts communion to members of that specific church only. The focus shifts from honoring Christ to controlling who can participate, emphasizing “us only” rather than “Him.”

3. Close Communion (Belief of Annapolis First Baptist Church)
This view reflects the Bible’s teaching on the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17–34). It encourages participation from believers who are walking in fellowship with the Lord and not living in unrepentant sin. Anyone with a personal faith in Jesus Christ is welcome to take part.

1. To Commemorate
Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of Me.”
— 1 Corinthians 11:24–25

“And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner, He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’”

Jesus intentionally established the Lord’s Supper during the celebration of Passover:
— Matthew 26:17

“Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, ‘Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?’”

He instituted it as a memorial of the deliverance from sin that He would provide to all who trust in Him:
— Matthew 26:28

“For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.”

The New Covenant is based on faith in Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice—not on repeated offerings or works:
— Ephesians 2:8–9

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast.”

Because Jesus is the holy Lamb of God, His one-time sacrifice is enough to atone for the sins of all who believe.
We “partake” of Jesus by coming to Him in faith:
— John 1:12

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.”

When we trust that His broken body and shed blood are sufficient to pay for our sins,
the bread and cup remind us of that sacrifice.
When we partake in communion with other believers, we affirm our faith and fellowship in Christ.

2. To Anticipate
Jesus looked forward to a reunion with His disciples in His Father’s kingdom. He told them to observe the Lord’s Supper in anticipation:
— 1 Corinthians 11:26

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

So when we take communion, we’re also looking forward to Jesus’ return and the day He will fully establish His Kingdom.

3. To Participate
The Lord’s Supper is a shared act of worship. As a congregation, we:

• Affirm our faith
• Celebrate the completed work of Christ
• Focus on our unity
• Publicly declare that Jesus is the only way of salvation

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addressed the church at Corinth because the Lord’s Supper had become a source of division instead of unity. He repeated the phrase “come together” five times, emphasizing that communion was meant to unite the church around Christ.
When we participate together in the Lord’s Supper today, we give a visible expression of our unity in Christ.

According to Scripture, there are two types of people who should not take part in communion:

1. The unregenerate (those who are not born again)
2. The unrepentant (those living in known, unconfessed sin)

Communion is a sacred act meant for believers who are walking in fellowship with Christ.
It should not be open to those who have not been spiritually reborn or who are knowingly ignoring sin in their lives.
When an unbeliever takes communion, it becomes an act of hypocrisy—and Scripture warns that it may bring God’s judgment.
— 1 Corinthians 11:27
“Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.”

To take communion “in an unworthy manner” means showing disrespect or indifference toward what the bread and cup represent—the body and blood of Christ.
It treats communion as just another ritual or meal, rather than a meaningful act of worship.
That’s why self-examination is essential before participating in the Lord’s Supper.
— 1 Corinthians 11:28–30
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.”

Paul warns that taking communion lightly can lead to spiritual consequences, even physical ones. Improper observance of the Lord’s Supper—like any act of worship done carelessly—can result in God’s displeasure and a kind of spiritual dullness or decline.

When we approach the Lord’s Supper carelessly or irreverently, God's displeasure can be revealed in the following ways:

• A hardened heart — Becoming overly familiar with sacred things can dull our reverence and lead to spiritual pride or indifference.
• Spiritual coldness — When we mishandle the ordinances of God, rather than drawing us closer, they can make us more distant from Him. If the gospel isn’t making us better, it may be making us worse.
• Loss of God’s favor and joy — Improper observance of communion can cause us to miss out on the spiritual depth, peace, and joy that come from genuine worship.

According to Scripture, those who come to the Lord’s Table must be:

• Humble
• Born again
• Free of unconfessed sin
• Living in obedience to God

For the repentant, born-again believer, communion is a beautiful time of remembering God’s provision and resting in His grace. It is a sacred opportunity to draw near to Christ and celebrate the gift of salvation.

First, make sure you truly know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
If you don’t—then you already know your next step.
But if you do, then let’s come to the table and break bread together.

Are you saved?
Jesus longs to welcome you. He gave His life for you—
He died on the cross, was buried, and rose again so you could be forgiven and made new.
Take a moment and examine your life.
Where is your Romans 10:9 confession?

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Have you made that confession?
Do you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord?
If so, then you are invited to the Lord’s Table.
Can you take the Lord’s Supper?
If your answer is yes, then come with reverence, joy, and gratitude—and remember what He has done for you.