How Do Christians Decide When to Take Their First Communion?
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My children received their first communion in second grade. Our family was attending Roman Catholic mass with their father at the time, and they prepared to receive the sacrament of communion in what I called “Sunday School” (Tuesday night religion classes, really). My children also received the sacrament of confession, reciting the official prayer of reconciliation before they took communion.
I was an assistant teacher in my children’s Catholic preparation classes, though I had always been part of Protestant churches. My own first communion was in a very different setting and at a much older age. Since Presbyterians at that time did not receive their first communion until they were 14, I had not yet received communion when I went on a retreat with my friend’s Baptist youth group in ninth grade. My first communion was with the minister and retreat group gathered in a wooded area next to a creek. It was a beautiful, spiritual experience. I did partake in my first communion at my own church about six months later.
With these two very different first communions in mind, let’s consider the proper or best time for a person to receive holy communion.
What Is the First Communion Mentioned in the Bible?
The events when Jesus and His twelve disciples celebrated the Passover meal on “the night He was betrayed” are fundamental to the sacrament of communion. At the traditional Jewish Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus stood up and gave us the liturgy for every Christian communion service since. At the Last Supper, as it is called, Jesus gave specific instructions as to the ritual and meaning of communion.
Here is what Jesus did and said at the Last Supper: “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after the supper, he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:19-20).
The bread and wine represent Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins. The elements of bread and wine represent His body and blood. The “new covenant” is the assurance that our sins are forgiven. Sacrifices were an important part of Jewish worship. With Jesus’ supreme human sacrifice, God forgave us all of our sins for all time.
Another aspect of communion is found in the meaning of the word “communion,” the term Protestants use when receiving the bread and wine. To commune means to come together. We are united in our Christian beliefs when we take communion. As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:16, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” We are united as one body of believers when we partake of the bread and wine together.
What Did Early Christians Have to Do Before They Took Their First Communion?
In Christ’s own life and the lives of early church members, the sacrament of baptism was the first step in becoming part of the body of believers. Christians are still baptized as a prerequisite for communion in many church denominations. Baptism welcomes a person to a particular church and the universal church.
At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He was baptized as an example to all Christians. John the Baptist baptized Jesus, and the heavens opened up for God to speak His approval: “This is my Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). Jesus insisted John baptize him, though John felt unworthy to baptize His Savior.
Confession (whether as a private matter with clergy or in a public statement of faith) is another prerequisite to communion. In earlier church days, priests determined whether a person was worthy to take communion after they confessed their sins. Roman Catholics are still encouraged not to take communion if they have committed a grave sin without confessing it. However, Catholics believe the sacrament of the eucharist (communion) removes all sin from a person’s soul.
In Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, baptism, communion, and confirmation are steps in the Christian faith walk. All of these sacraments signify a deepening relationship with Jesus and a full welcome into the life of one’s church.
When Can Christians Take Their First Communion in Liturgical Churches?
Liturgical churches include Roman Catholic churches and the Protestant denominations of Episcopal, Anglican, Lutheran, and Eastern Orthodox churches. Worshipers at these churches follow a traditional liturgy—a specific order of rites, ceremonies, and prayers. Denominational organizations publish directives on leadership structures, membership, and dogma, including how and when to receive communion.
Liturgical churches vary in when their people take their first communion and how they prepare for the sacrament. In the Roman Catholic church, children take their first communion at about seven years old, considered the age of reason. Religion study in classes is a prerequisite to partaking in communion, and baptism and confession are completed before a child or adult takes their first communion. Episcopal churches encourage their congregation members not to take communion until after they are baptized; there is no specific age requirement. Baptized Lutheran children of about age 10 are welcome to receive communion after some religious instruction. Presbyterians receive communion after confirmation at 13-14. They also receive spiritual guidance in a confirmation class before taking communion.
When Can Christians Take Their First Communion in Evangelical Churches?
Evangelicalism can mean many things, although many use the four markers that historian David Bebbington described as key to American evangelicalism:
- An emphasis on the Bible’s authority
- An emphasis on Jesus’ atonement on the cross
- An emphasis on personal conversion
- An emphasis on activism (particularly evangelism)
Scholars call these markers “the Bebbington Quadrilateral.”
In this broad sense, evangelicalism can include Protestant churches within defined denominations (for example, the Baptists) or non-denominational churches. Many evangelical churches operate under a “congregational governance system.” where the congregation makes many decisions on church life without having to submit each idea to a higher church structure.
Therefore, individual evangelical churches decide the time of worshippers’ first communion and how often their congregation observes communion. Baptists do not have an age requirement for first communion, although there are spiritual requirements: confessing to be a Christian and being baptized at an age when a believer understands the significance of baptism. Non-denominational churches observe communion in a similar way, though the communion service is simpler and emphasizes basic biblical teaching.
What Things Should Christians Consider Before Taking Their First Communion?
In Jesus’ parable “The Great Banquet,” the host dips into his hospitality B-list and C-list to find guests who can attend his feast. The host’s iconic words, “Come, for all things are now ready” (Luke 14:16-18), appear to represent Jesus welcoming everyone to The Lord’s Supper.
Yet, 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 states, “Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.” Communion is more than a ritual. In communion, we experience and remember Christ’s great sacrifice for our sins. As Jesus said to His disciples, “This do in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).
In his Christianity.com article on first communion, Clarence L. Haynes writes, “If someone can recognize what communion is, what the elements represent, and examine their heart, then they can take communion correctly. For people like this, age should not be the determining factor. Whether young in age or a young believer, they should be allowed to take it if they can recognize and discern the importance of why we take communion. This means someone seven could be fully ready for communion while someone 70 may not.”
Believers receive the Lord’s Supper as a way to praise God that His Word was made flesh, dwelt among us, and suffered in human form. People receiving communion must also believe that the sacrifice of Jesus’ body and blood removes the stain of sin before God. We need to confess our sins and feel the joy of release from their power in our lives as we remember Jesus’ sacrifice in the ritual of communion, at whatever age we receive this blessed sacrament.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Romolo Tavani
