Abstract
In this study, the importance and possible value of the concepts of cognition and recognition for reflection on what should actually happen during celebration of Holy Communion. The point of departure is that celebration, in essence, means that it should be a meaningful experience. The purpose of communion is to “receive from Christ the nourishment and strength and hope and joy,” said pastor and theologian John Piper. They “come from feasting our souls on all that He purchased for us on the cross; especially His own fellowship.
Chapter one
Introduction
1.1Background of the study
Holy Communion, is the distinctive rite of Christian worship, instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ upon the eve of His atoning death, being a religious partaking of bread and wine, which, having been presented before God the Father in thankful memorial of Christ’s inexhaustible sacrifice, have become (through the sacramental blessing) the communion of the body and blood of Christ. The Lord’s Supper is fundamentally (but not solely) intended to evoke our hearts’ remembrance of the divinity and blessing of Jesus: “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11:25).
The Bible uses the phrase “breaking of bread” in various forms. Acts 2:42-46 depicts the early church breaking bread as part of their fellowship: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” The early Christians came together frequently for shared meals, which involved the breaking of bread.
scripture teaches us that every human being is made “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27), vested with an inviolable dignity and an inestimable worth, bound for community, marked by mutuality and interdependence, and called to love one another. This reality is part of the mystery of God’s creation. It is the architecture of grace that undergirds human existence.
Yet many persons claim for themselves the “right” to classify people, using criteria of their own choosing. In this process, they frequently employ the language of division. Some of the terms they use such as race and ethnicity are fraught with conceptual imprecision. These expressions are categories and images that function as identity markers to establish boundaries within the human community.
How might the church overcome the boundaries that human beings construct for ourselves? Our divided world needs a theology that affirms the commonality shared by all human beings whom God has made and that takes into account the significance of the redeemed community as a sign of the new creation. I believe Holy Communion has much to teach believers in Christ about human identity in that new creation.
God creates all human beings in God’s own image, but in Jesus Christ, who embodies the very image of God, humankind and the whole creation are reconciled to God. Through the Holy Spirit, a new creation emerges. As Paul states, “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation. Everything old has passed away: see everything has become new! All this is from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17–18).
In Holy Communion, followers of Christ also express their keen anticipation of a future for which they long. When they share the bread and the cup of the Lord’s Supper, believers anticipate and enter into the feast of the kingdom that is revealed when creation is renewed at the end of this age. In Holy Communion, Christians bear witness to the heavenly kingdom by celebrating their common life in Christ and shared participation in God’s mission. If heaven is a place of communion and genuine intimacy, in the Lord’s Supper heaven and earth meet as human beings encounter the past, present, and future converging in the presence of God (Norman Wirzba, 2011).
Statement of the problem
Holy Communion underpins Christian worship in many denominations. Some Christians believe that Holy Communion gives them spiritual nourishment for the week ahead. Holy Communion reminds us of the suffering and death of Christ. All Christians should take part in Holy Communion in order to give thanks. When we partake in Communion, we “proclaim the Lord’s death till he comes.” The bread is symbolic of His body and Jesus’ divine health and life flowing in our mortal bodies. When we drink from the cup, we are declaring that we are forgiven and have been made righteous. But many Christians yet to know the values of Holy Communion in their lives
Objective of the study
The objectives of the study are;
- To find out the impact of holy communion in the life of a Christian
- To know the significant of the holy communion in Christian life
- To find out believe of Christians in the Christ Apostolic Church about holy communion
Research question
The following research questions were formulated;
- What is the impact of Holy Communion in the life of a Christian?
- What is the significant of the Holy Communion in Christian life?
- Does Christ Apostolic church believe in Holy Communion?
Significance of the study
The study will be very significant to students and Christians. The study will give a clear insight on the value of Holy Communion in the life of Christian in the Apostolic church. The study will educate the public especially the Christian about the significant of Holy Communion to Christian. The study will also serve as a reference to other researcher that will embark on the related
Scope of the study
The scope of the study covers the value of Holy Communion in the life of Christians in the Christ Apostolic church. The study will be limited to Christ apostolic church in Lagos state
Limitation of the study
Limitations/constraints are inevitable in carrying out a research work of this nature. However, in the course of this research, the following constraints were encountered thus:
- Non-availability of enough resources (finance): A work of this nature is very tasking financially, money had to be spent at various stages of the research such resources which may aid proper carrying out of the study were not adequately available.
- Time factor: The time used in carrying out the research work is relatively not enough to bring the best information out of it. However, I hope that the little that is contained in this study will go a long way in solving many greater problems.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
THE VALUE OF HOLY COMMUNION IN THE LIFE OF CHRISTIANS IN THE CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH
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