It is a COMMAND and requirement for salvation. Because Jesus states over and over about those who love him , those who truly Hear and Love Jesus partake in the Lords Supper.
Loving God with all your heart and soul is a commandment.
SO if you claim you love God you follow his commands, communion as you will see below is a direct command if we are LOVING CHRIST
John.15
[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Acts.1
[2] Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
1Cor.7
[19] Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
1Cor.14
[37] If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Eph.2
[15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Col.2
[22] Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Col.4
[10] Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if he come unto you, receive him
1Thes.4
[2] For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.
Tit.1
[14] Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.
1John.2
[3] And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
[4] He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1John.3
[22] And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.