Church Health: How Should Believers Prepare to Take Communion?
Updated: Oct 14
Believers should prepare to take Communion by remembering Jesus’ sacrificial death, trusting Him as Savior, examining their hearts honestly, confessing sin, considering their relationships with fellow believers, and receiving the bread and cup with reverence and hope. Communion is not a reward for perfect Christians but a Christ-commanded ordinance for believers who rely on His grace.
Communion, also called the Lord’s Supper, brings the church back to the center of the gospel. We remember Christ’s body given for us, His blood shed for the new covenant, His victory over sin and death, and His promised return.
Preparing well does not mean trying to make yourself worthy through religious performance. It means coming honestly to Jesus, allowing Scripture to search your heart, and receiving the elements as a believer who trusts in Christ.
What Does Communion Mean According to Assemblies of God Teaching?
The Assemblies of God recognizes Holy Communion as one of the two ordinances of the church. Water baptism is the other. An ordinance is a practice commanded by Jesus that visibly communicates an essential truth of the gospel.
The official Assemblies of God understanding of Communion is grounded in Scripture. The bread and fruit of the vine are symbolic elements. Communion is a memorial of Christ’s suffering and death, an expression of fellowship with Him, and a prophecy pointing toward His second coming.
First Corinthians 11:26 says that whenever believers eat the bread and drink the cup, they “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Communion therefore looks in three directions:
Backward to the cross, where Jesus gave Himself for sinners.
Around us to the church, where believers share faith and fellowship.
Forward to Christ’s return, when His redemptive work will be fully revealed.
Communion does not save a person simply because the elements are received. Salvation comes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord’s Supper is an act of obedience, worship, remembrance, proclamation, and shared faith.
For additional background, read What Does the Lord’s Supper Mean? and What AG Believes About Communion.
Why Is Self-Examination Important Before Communion?
Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:23–29 is central to preparing for Communion. After repeating Jesus’ words about the bread and cup, Paul writes that each person should examine himself or herself before eating and drinking.
This instruction is not meant to create hopeless fear in sincere believers. It is an invitation to come into the light.
The Corinthian church had serious divisions surrounding the Lord’s Supper. Some believers were acting selfishly while others were being neglected. Their behavior contradicted the unity and love that Communion was meant to express.
This context matters. Self-examination is not only asking, “Have I made mistakes?” It also means asking, “Does my life reflect the gospel I am proclaiming?”
Before Communion, consider:
Am I trusting in Jesus Christ, or am I relying on my own goodness?
Is there sin I need to confess to God?
Have pride, resentment, contempt, or selfishness taken root in me?
Am I treating other believers as members of Christ’s body?
Is there a wise step toward forgiveness or reconciliation that I need to take?
Am I approaching the table with reverence rather than carelessness?
Self-examination is different from self-condemnation. Condemnation tells you to hide from God because you have failed. The Holy Spirit brings conviction so that you can turn toward God, receive forgiveness, and walk in renewed obedience.
Communion is not for people who have achieved sinless perfection. No one could come if perfection were the requirement. Communion is for believers who recognize their need for Jesus and approach Him with humility.
How Should Believers Prepare Their Hearts for Communion?
Preparing for Communion can be simple, sincere, and deeply meaningful. The following five practices can help you slow down and focus on Christ.
1. Remember Jesus Before Remembering Yourself
The first preparation is to remember Jesus.
Luke 22:19 records Jesus saying, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Communion is not primarily a ceremony about our spiritual performance. It is a memorial of Christ’s suffering and death.
Remember His humility. Remember His obedience. Remember His willingness to endure the cross. Remember that He gave Himself for sinners who could not save themselves.
When shame becomes loud, remember Jesus.
When grief makes faith feel distant, remember Jesus.
When anxiety distracts you, remember Jesus.
When spiritual life begins to feel routine, return to the cross.
The bread and cup direct your attention away from your accomplishments and toward the finished work of Christ.
2. Read the Communion Scriptures Slowly
Before receiving Communion, read the passages that explain its meaning. Consider Luke 22:19–20, Matthew 26:26–29, and 1 Corinthians 11:23–29.
Do not rush through the words.
In Luke’s account, Jesus connects the cup with the new covenant in His blood. In Matthew’s account, He points to the forgiveness made possible through His sacrifice and directs attention toward the future kingdom of God. In First Corinthians, Paul emphasizes remembrance, proclamation, self-examination, and the return of Christ.
Notice the words Scripture uses:
“Given for you.”
“In remembrance of me.”
“The new covenant.”
“Examine himself.”
“Proclaim the Lord’s death.”
“Until he comes.”
These words help Communion become more than a familiar routine. Scripture gives the practice its meaning and keeps our attention centered on Christ.
3. Confess Sin and Receive Grace
Self-examination should lead to honest confession.
If the Holy Spirit reveals sin, bring it to God without excuses or performance. Confession means agreeing with God about what is wrong and turning toward His mercy.
You do not need to hide your failure from the Lord. He already knows your heart. The invitation of the gospel is not to pretend that sin does not matter. It is to bring sin to Jesus, who is able to forgive and restore.
At the same time, do not confuse repentance with self-punishment. You cannot improve the cross by condemning yourself. You cannot add to Christ’s finished work through shame.
Receive the grace Jesus provides.
If you have confessed your sin and are turning toward Christ, do not remain trapped in the belief that you must somehow become acceptable before you can approach Him. You come because He is merciful.
4. Consider Your Relationships With Other Believers
Communion is personal, but it is not merely private.
The Lord’s Supper reminds us that believers belong to one body through Jesus Christ. This is why Paul addressed division and selfishness when teaching the Corinthian church about Communion.
Before taking Communion, ask God to help you see other believers through the grace of Christ. Is there someone you have dismissed, judged, or treated with contempt? Have you allowed a disagreement to become bitterness? Are you refusing to pursue peace because pride feels safer than humility?
Reconciliation may require time, boundaries, wisdom, and the help of mature believers. Forgiveness does not mean pretending harm did not happen. It does not require returning to unsafe circumstances without discernment.
But Communion should soften our hearts toward the people Jesus has redeemed. We cannot celebrate Christ’s self-giving love while intentionally practicing cruelty, contempt, or indifference toward His people.
A healthy church is not a church without conflict. It is a church that brings conflict honestly before Jesus and pursues truth, repentance, forgiveness, and peace.
5. Receive Communion With Hope
Communion is solemn, but it is not hopeless.
First Corinthians 11:26 says believers proclaim the Lord’s death “until he comes.” Every observance of Communion points toward the return of Jesus.
The church remembers a Savior who died, but we do not worship a dead teacher. Jesus is risen. He is Lord. He is with His people, and He will come again.
This future hope matters when life feels unstable. Circumstances change. Bodies grow weak. Relationships become complicated. Plans fail. The world can feel uncertain.
But Communion reminds us that history is not moving toward meaninglessness. It is moving toward the fulfillment of God’s redemptive purpose in Christ.
Receive the bread and cup with gratitude for what Jesus has done and confidence in what He will complete.
Who May Participate in Communion?
Assemblies of God churches commonly practice open Communion for believers in Jesus Christ. Participation is not limited to people belonging to one particular denomination. The emphasis is on personal faith in Christ, reverence, and self-examination.
Communion is intended for those who confess Jesus as Savior and seek to honor the meaning of the Lord’s Supper.
If you are not yet a Christian, you are welcome to listen, learn, ask questions, and consider the message of the cross. But Communion should not be treated as a ritual that makes someone a Christian. The elements point to Jesus; they do not replace repentance and faith in Him.
If you are a believer who feels unworthy, remember this: Communion does not celebrate your perfection. It celebrates Christ’s mercy.
Come humbly. Come honestly. Come trusting Jesus.
What Should You Do If Communion Brings Shame or Pain?
Some believers avoid Communion because they feel spiritually disqualified. Others carry painful memories connected to church conflict, rejection, grief, or religious pressure.
Jesus does not ask you to pretend those experiences did not happen. He meets people in truth.
If you have sinned, confess it. If you have been wounded, bring that wound to God. If you need wise pastoral care, seek help from mature and trustworthy Christian leaders. If reconciliation is possible, ask the Lord for courage and humility. If a relationship is unsafe, seek wisdom and appropriate protection rather than confusing forgiveness with continued exposure to harm.
The purpose of self-examination is not to make sincere believers run away from Christ. It is to bring us into honest fellowship with Him.
When shame says, “You do not belong,” the gospel points to Jesus.
When fear says, “You must fix yourself first,” the cross reminds you that salvation rests on Christ.
When spiritual weariness says, “You are too far gone,” the mercy of God invites you to return.
You can continue exploring biblical community through the Bible Study Club and bring personal prayer needs to the Prayer Wall.
A Simple Communion Preparation Guide
Before your next Communion gathering, take a few quiet moments to:
Read Luke 22:19–20 or 1 Corinthians 11:23–29.
Remember Christ’s body given and blood shed for you.
Confess any sin the Holy Spirit brings to your attention.
Consider whether your relationships reflect the love of Christ.
Give thanks for salvation, forgiveness, and the new covenant.
Receive the bread and cup with reverence.
Hope in the promise that Jesus will come again.
You do not need impressive words. A sincere heart is enough.
A Pastoral Prayer Before Communion
Jesus, thank You for giving Your life for us. Thank You for the new covenant established through Your blood and for the mercy You offer through the cross.
Search our hearts and show us anything that needs to be confessed, surrendered, or restored. Deliver us from pride, bitterness, selfishness, and fear. Teach us to love Your people and to honor the meaning of Your table.
Help us remember Your sacrifice with gratitude, receive Your grace with humility, and wait for Your return with hope. Draw every searching heart closer to You. Amen.
A Digital Altar Call
Perhaps you have read this article and realized that you have never personally trusted Jesus Christ. Communion cannot save you, but it points to the Savior who gave Himself for your sin and rose again.
You can turn to Jesus today.
You might pray:
Jesus, I know I need You. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. I turn from sin and place my trust in You. Forgive me, make me new, and teach me to follow You. Amen.
God does not require perfect words. He welcomes a sincere heart that turns toward Him in faith.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for Communion
What should I do before taking Communion?
Read the relevant Scripture passages, remember Christ’s sacrifice, confess sin, examine your relationships, and receive the bread and cup with reverence and faith. Preparation is not about achieving perfection but about approaching Jesus honestly and gratefully.
What does “examine yourself” mean in 1 Corinthians 11?
Self-examination means honestly allowing God to search your heart. It includes considering your faith in Christ, confessing sin, examining your relationships, and asking whether your conduct reflects the unity and love of the body of Christ.
Does Communion forgive sins or save a person?
No. According to Assemblies of God teaching, salvation comes through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Communion is an ordinance commanded by Jesus. It remembers and proclaims His saving work but does not replace personal faith in Him.
Who can take Communion in an Assemblies of God church?
Assemblies of God churches commonly practice open Communion for people who confess faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of denominational background. Local congregations may provide specific instructions, but faith in Christ, reverence, and self-examination are central.
Can I take Communion if I feel unworthy?
If you are trusting in Jesus and coming with humility, do not assume that personal weakness makes you permanently disqualified. Communion is not a reward for perfect people. It is a Christ-centered practice for believers who recognize their need for grace. Confess sin, receive God’s mercy, and follow the guidance of the church leading the service.
If you are ready to take one faith-filled step, visit www.boundlessonlinechurch.org and text our prayer line at 901-213-7341.
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