Holy Communion (also known as the Eucharist) is a holy sacrament wherein bread and wine are used to remember Jesus’ sacrificial death. Jesus directly asked his disciples to perform communion in all four gospels:
“And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.’ Mark 14:22-24 (see also Luke 22:19-20, Matthew 26:26-28 and John 6:53-57).
As Christians, we respect the principle of the Eucharist sacrament, which assists those aspiring for soul salvation to affirm their faith and dedication to Jesus Christ. We also understand that it honours his sacrificial death, which allowed us to be reconciled with God and for our souls to be saved.
However, as Christian Israelites hope for the immortal life of the body as well as the salvation of the soul, we do not participate in communion, which relates to the salvation of the soul only. We seek to ‘go on unto perfection’ (Hebrews 6:1), that is, for our flesh to be purified from evil and made immortal when Jesus Christ returns through following both the law and gospel.
Communion also doesn’t feature in the Christian Israelite Church as the greater focus is on Jesus Christ’s resurrection rather than his death, wherein he gained power over death and sin:
“That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life … Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Romans 6:4, 9-11.
“If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching in vain, and your faith is also vain … ye are yet in your sins … For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive … The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet.’ 1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 22, 26-27.
Rather than holding communion to remember Jesus’ death, Christian Israelites celebrate the fact that, through his resurrection, Jesus had victory over Satan and death (1 Corinthians 15:54-55). Christian Israelites also focus on and look forward to Jesus Christ’s impending return as the greatest celebration to come.