Communion table
Encyclopedia
A Communion table is used by many Protestant churches, particularly from Reformed, Baptist, Congregational, and non-denominational traditions, for the preparation of the Eucharist
(or "Lord's Supper").
The use of a simple table instead of an altar
reflects these churches' rejection of any suggestion of sacrifice
in the Holy Communion: they believe that the Passion of Jesus Christ was a perfect sacrifice for sins made once for all (-10:4).
The table may be very simple, adorned perhaps with only a linen cloth, or with an open Bible
and a pair of candlesticks. Some Communion tables often bear the inscription Do This in Remembrance of Me from the Last Supper
, indicating the belief in Holy Communion being a memorial rather than a sacrament. Such a table may be temporary, being moved into place only when there is a Communion Service.
Eucharist
The Eucharist , also called Holy Communion, the Sacrament of the Altar, the Blessed Sacrament, the Lord's Supper, and other names, is a Christian sacrament or ordinance...
(or "Lord's Supper").
The use of a simple table instead of an altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
reflects these churches' rejection of any suggestion of sacrifice
Sacrifice
Sacrifice is the offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or people to God or the gods as an act of propitiation or worship.While sacrifice often implies ritual killing, the term offering can be used for bloodless sacrifices of cereal food or artifacts...
in the Holy Communion: they believe that the Passion of Jesus Christ was a perfect sacrifice for sins made once for all (-10:4).
The table may be very simple, adorned perhaps with only a linen cloth, or with an open Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
and a pair of candlesticks. Some Communion tables often bear the inscription Do This in Remembrance of Me from the Last Supper
Last Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, according to Christian belief, Jesus shared with his Twelve Apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. The Last Supper provides the scriptural basis for the Eucharist, also known as "communion" or "the Lord's Supper".The First Epistle to the Corinthians is...
, indicating the belief in Holy Communion being a memorial rather than a sacrament. Such a table may be temporary, being moved into place only when there is a Communion Service.