12.1.5.2 Breaking of bread

In the celebration of Holy Communion (see 8.2), the congregation experiences the central event of the divine service. Following the forgiveness of sins, the believers come to the altar and receive the body and blood of Jesus in the form of a consecrated wafer of bread and wine. In so doing, the faithful experience Holy Communion as both an expression of thanks and a celebration of remembrance of Christ's sacrifice (Luke 22: 19). It is a meal of fellowship and profession which includes the departed, both those who have died in Christ and those who have been granted access to the altar through God's grace. It also strengthens the hope in the coming of the Son of God (1 Corinthians 11: 26).

The worthy partaking of Holy Communion preserves the life implanted in the soul through the rebirth. Furthermore, it gives the soul the certainty of remaining in Jesus and maintaining the closest fellowship of life with Him (John 6: 51-58). The powers thereby received help believers overcome that which could be an impediment to the salvation of the soul and allows them to develop into the nature of Jesus. In this way, fellowship of life with Jesus Christ can be strengthened in every divine service.