1 Corinthians 11:26

As often as. See on v. 25.

Shew. Gr. kataggello, “to proclaim,” “to declare.” By taking part in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, Christians proclaim to the world their faith in the atoning work of Christ and in His second coming. The Saviour’s words, “when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matt. 26:29), encourage His followers to look forward through trial and hardship to the glorious day when He will return to take His people away from this world of sin to the abode of everlasting happiness and peace. This statement concerning showing, or proclaiming, the Lord’s death suggests that the ordinance should not be observed in secret. Its public observance often makes a deep impression on those who witness it.

It should be obvious from this verse that all believers are to eat the bread and drink the wine at the communion service. Neither element is partaken of only by the one officiating. It is by eating and drinking the emblematic bread and wine that believers declare their faith in the full reconciliation effected by the broken body and shed blood of Christ, and in His return to this world to take His people to Himself (John 14:1–3). The ordinance is to be observed as long as time shall last, by all who are believers. The need for its observance will cease only when all believers see Jesus face to face. Then there will be no necessity for anything to remind them of Him, for all will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2; Rev. 22:4). As the sacrifices offered at the tabernacle in Moses’ day, and later at the Temple in Jerusalem, pointed to the death of Jesus all through the centuries until Christ came the first time, so the celebration of the Lord’s Supper declares that He has paid the penalty for the sins of mankind, and will continue to declared it “till he come” the second time.