By Robin G. Jordan
I have read a number of objections to the practice of celebrating the Lord’s Supper online. Some relate to the proper circumstances for celebrations of the sacrament; others to the proper minister for such celebrations. Even those who advocate the practice differ on whether only unleaven bread and wine should be used.
Online celebrations of the Lord’s Supper involve a major paradigm change for many Christians. They run into the many barriers with which different ecclesiastical traditions have fenced the New Testament teaching in regards to its observance.
What those who raise objections to the practice ignore is the intention of those who are celebrating the Lord’s Supper online. They are seeking to honor their Lord’s command to “do this” in remembrance of his suffering and death for the sins of the whole world. They seek to show their love for their Lord by obeying his command, recalling what he has done for humankind, and proclaiming his saving death until he comes again in glory. By word and sign they desire to make known the salvation that he wrought for us on the hard wood of the cross.
Can an online celebration of the Lord’s Supper be a means of grace for the participants? I believe that the answer is “yes.” Here is why.
Prayer is a means of grace as is hearing God’s Word. Both prayer and hearing God’s Word is involved in an online Lord’s Supper celebration. It is in the eating of the bread and drinking of the cup in remembrance of our Lord’s suffering and death that we experience God’s grace, the love and goodwill he shows toward us. Our faith is invigorated, confirmed, and strengthened. It is by faith that we appropriate the benefits of our Lord’s passion. It is by faith that we spiritually feed upon our risen Lord to whom and to each other we are united by the Holy Spirit.
The local church is a manifestation of the Body of Christ but the Body of Christ also exists across space and time. One might say that our Lord’s Supper celebrations are tied not only to those of other congregations in distant lands but also those of congregations in the past and the future. They are part of one great celebration, which is a foretaste of the wedding supper of the Lamb.
Our virtual gatherings are also a manifestation of Christ’s Body. We may not be physically present with our fellow Christians who join us online for prayer, worship, study, and community life, to borrow a phrase from the Church of England’s Church Closure Poster, but we are spiritually united to our Lord and to each other.
I have assembled a number of articles and videos that I hope that readers will find helpful in deciding whether they should celebrate the Lord’s Supper online. I for one do not believe that we should fast from this important means of grace based on the notion that our Lord’s Supper celebrations will be more meaningful when we are finally able to gather together in the same room. This has proven not be the case when churches have adopted the practice of infrequent communion. Frequent communion, on the other hand, has been shown to strengthen and enrich our appreciation of such celebrations.
Churches Consider 'Virtual' Lord's Supper
Online Communion Can Still Be Sacramental
Christ is Really Present Virtually: A Proposal for Virtual Communion
COVID-19: How to Make the Most of Online Communion - Crackers and cookies are a form of bread but chips? Maybe the large tortilla chips
Communion at Home [Video]
The Power of Taking Communion at Home - by Derek Prince [Video]
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