COMMUNION IS NOT only a memorial; it is a means of grace where we can draw strength, grace, succour and healing. And the communion table is more than the wine and bread; if by faith we can participate, our lives will change forever.
Speaking on the subject This Is My Body last Sunday at the Dunamis Outreach Ministries of the Wesleyan Holiness Church, Reverend Carlos Brathwaite also told the congregation that communion [The Lord’s Supper] was one of two sacraments given by God – the other being baptism by water.
In a church fully charged with praise and worship and members of the congregation resplendent in white attire, Brathwaite told his listeners: “It is a good thing to have Communion as often as you can because we can receive succour and virtue from God.
“Once a month is not good enough, for Communion is not only a memorial but a means of grace where we can have divine impartation. We should have this as often as we can.”
He explained: “Grace says we do not deserve God’s goodness but by His grace and favour He places us in a higher position. All of us deserve to die, but God’s grace has helped us. His mercy says I am guilty and deserve to be punished, but [Jesus Christ] says forgive.”
Brathwaite stressed that “when God looks at us, He dispenses His favour and grace just as Noah found grace in the eyes of God”.
“[The Church of Christ] is not one member, but we are part of the Body of Christ. Having been baptized into the Body of Christ, we are all receiving sustenance through Christ,” he added.
“Every member of the Body is important and receives sustenance from Him at all times. We make up the Body of Christ and Christ has all the resources we need.
“When we come to the Communion table in need of help and say, ‘God help me now’, a message comes back from Heaven saying help is here.
“Seeing that we have a High Priest who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, let us come near to the throne of grace where we can obtain mercy to help in the time of need.”
He further pointed out that “while grace is always interpreted as favour, sometimes it can be interpreted as Christ – for we can do everything through Christ who enables us”.
Brathwaite read from a number of scriptural texts, including Matthew 28:19 and 20 and Matthew 26:26 to 30.
As it came to the close of the service of thanksgiving, the congregation gathered around the Communion table to partake of the wine and the bread, armed with the knowledge that Communion should no longer be seen as a memorial or a ritual dutifully performed once or twice a month, but as a means of grace – where healing, mercy and help can be found.
• To have your church featured in Altar Call please contact Cheryl Harewood at 430-5494 or email [email protected].
