What does God say about the Lord’s Supper?
It’s been called the Lord’s Supper – or Holy Communion. Just what is Communion and why is it so meaningful for so many Christians as well as at the heart of so many controversies over the years?
1. What is the Lord’s Supper?
a) Matthew 26:26-28 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
b) Mark 14:22-24 While they were eating, Jesus gook bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take eat; this is my body,” Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. ”This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”
c) Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
d) 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
The Bible teaches us that:
a) The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, on the evening before His death.
b) It is intended for Christians who are to celebrate this Sacrament often.
c) In the Lord’s Supper we eat bread and drink wine connected with the Word of God.
d) In, with and under the bread and wine we receive the body and blood of Christ (Real Presence)
Other beliefs on this teaching:
Transubstantiation is taught by the Roman Catholic Church. It teaches that when the words of institution are spoken, the bread and wine are changed completely into the body and blood of Christ, even thought they retain the smell, taste and feel of bread and wine. This teaching led to the practice of adoring the host and other errors in worship.
Representation is taught by Reformed churches (most protestant churches today). They believe the bread and wine simply represent (stand for) the body and blood of Christ, since 1) “everyone knows a body can’t be in more than one place at a time” and 2) “it is a spiritual, not a physical celebration.”
2. What’s the Scriptural proof of the “Real Presence” teaching?
a) Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after the super he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
b) 1 Corinthians 10:16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? (participation – communion – a sharing with)
c) 2 Corinthians 11:27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.
The Bible teaches us that:
a) Jesus calls the bread and wine His body and blood in unmistakable language.
b) When we eat the bread and wine, we “participate,” we share the body and blood of Christ.
c) Unworthy communicants are guilty of sinning against the body and blood of Christ, not against just bread and wine.
Thus, we receive four things when we come to the Lord’s Supper. We receive bread, wine, body and blood. We also know that eating and drinking are part of this Sacrament. Hence, if a wafer is dropped, we are not dropping the body of Christ. It becomes the bread and body of Christ when we eat it, not when the words of institution are declared over it. This is also same with the wine.
However, in our handling of the elements before and after the words of institution, we will take care to treat them with respect, so that a fellow believer will not be spiritually offended by some off-hand remark or seemingly disrespectful handling.
3. Why should we receive the Lord’s Supper frequently?
a) 1 Corinthians 11:25-26 Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
b) Matthew 26:28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
c)Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
The Bible teaches us that:
We should receive the Lord’s Supper frequently
a) Because Christ commands us to do so
b) Because He promises us His blessings, especially the forgiveness of sins c) Because we are in great and constant need of forgiveness and strength.
4. Why do we take Holy Communion?
a) Luke 22:19-20 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.” “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.”
b) 2 Corinthians 5:15-17 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
c) 1 Corinthians 11:26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
d) 1 Corinthians 10:17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf.
The Bible teaches us that:
We come to Holy Communion -
a) Chiefly to be strengthened in our faith in the forgiveness of our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ;
b) To obtain strength for a holier life; (being strengthened in our faith, our hearts are filled with gratitude towards God, and this, in turn, moves us to lead a life that pleases Him.)
c) Lovingly to remember Christ and His bitter suffering and death which He endured for us;
d) To confess the crucified Christ before all people;
e) To bear witness that we are of one faith with those who commune with us.
5. Does everyone who takes Holy Communion receive Christ’s body and blood?
1 Corinthians 11:29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
The Bible teaches us:
Even an unbeliever receives the body and blood of our Lord in Communion. However, he/she receives it to their spiritual harm. While all communicants receive Christ’s body and blood, only worthy communicants receive the benefits of the Sacrament. Forgiveness of sins has been placed into the Sacrament by the words of Christ, “Given to you,” “Poured out for you,” “For the forgiveness of sins.” By these Gospel words, connected with the earthly elements, Christ offers, gives and seals the forgiveness of sins to all communicants who have faith in these words.
6. How do we make sure we are worthy communicants?
a) 1 Corinthians 11:28-29 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
b) Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
c) Mark 1:15 Repent and believe the good news!
d) Psalm 119:32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
The Bible teaches us that:
We properly prepare ourselves to receive Holy Communion when we examine ourselves to determine
a) Whether we truly repent of our sins;
b) Whether we trust in Jesus Christ as our Savior;
c) Whether we firmly believe that in the Lord’s Supper we receive in, with, and under the bread and wine the body and blood of our Savior Jesus Christ;
d) Whether we have the good and earnest purpose with the aid of God the Holy Spirit to change our sinful lives and live according to His commands.
7. May believers whose faith is weak come to Communion?
a) Mark 9:24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
b) Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
c) John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
A believer whose faith is weak should especially come to the Lord’s Supper so that his/her weak faith may grow stronger.
8. To whom do we not give the Lord’s Supper?
a) 1 Corinthians 11:29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
b) Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles inyour way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
c) Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
d) 1 Corinthians 11:28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.
The Bible teaches us that:
We admit to the Lord’s Table only those who have received sufficient instruction in the chief parts of Christian doctrine and have publicly confessed their faith. Such confession of faith is made on the day of confirmation. At that time the catechumens are received into communicant membership by the congregation, which also prays for them that they may grow in grace, be steadfast in the profession of their faith, become fruitful in every good work, and in the end receive the crown of life.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Agree/Disagree – It is an unloving gesture for us to refuse the Lord’s Supper to anyone.
2. How often should we go to Communion?
3. Agree/Disagree – Only a pastor should give Communion.