The Apostle Paul describes what it means to receive Holy Communion as follows:
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16).
Consequently, he warns us that:
Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. (1 Corinthians 11:27).
Unfortunately, it is easy to misinterpret this verse and unnecessarily exclude ourselves from receiving Holy Communion, despite the Lord Jesus’ express command to “take and eat” and “drink…all of you…” (Matthew 26:26-27). So how are we to understand the Apostle Paul’s warning?
The Apostle Paul does
not mean that we should not approach the Lord’s table because we are conscious of our sinfulness!:
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:8-9)
