I find it interesting to see how language and words have the ability and tendency to mutate. The other day a recent immigrant came to our home to tow a car. He was obviously learning our language just by experience. In the process of loading and removing the car he used the word “awesome” several times. He asked for our telephone number and when I gave it his response was, “awesome”. Some how I find it difficult to view our phone number as awesome.
The word “communion” has undergone as similar mutation. Captured within the word communion is the sound doctrine of what a communion service really is. The word itself is the translation of a Greek word that means fellowship or companionship. The communion service is the corporate (and don’t loose the importance of corporate) observance of our fellowship in Christ as a result of His work on the cross, and the gospel work of bringing us to Christ and so isolating us in this life as a special and particular corporate group that belongs to God in a very special way as His redeemed children. To celebrate this service in any way other than corporately is to greatly demean and alter the true meaning of the communion service.
For this conviction, and standing unswervingly upon it, many of our Baptist forefathers were greatly persecuted, even to the point of death. It is a celebration that ought never to be taken outside the doors of our corporate fellowship.
