What Is the Meaning of The Lord's Supper?

What Is the Meaning of The Lord’s Supper?
Matthew 26:26-29

Jesus never asked His disciples to remember His birth. But He did instruct them to remember His death and resurrection. He gave the church two visible symbols (sometimes called ordinances) as reminders of His death.

Baptism symbolizes the Beginning of the Christian life and The Lord’s Supper symbolizes the Continuing of the Christian life.

Clarifying Some Terms

Ordinance – comes from the word ordained. It refers to the events that Jesus specifically ordered us to make a regular part of our worship as a church.

Sacrament – comes from the Latin Sacramentum, which was an oath of allegiance a Roman soldier took to his emperor. Christians took the term and meant that it bound them in loyalty to Christ.

Eucharist – comes from the Greek Eucharistia, which means Thanksgiving. A reminder of Jesus giving thanks at the institution of the Lord’s Supper and our continual gratitude for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

Communion – comes from the Greek word for fellowship, Koinonia. It expresses our fellowship with God and with other believers made possible through Jesus Christ.

3 Different Views on The Presence of Christ in the Lord’s Supper

1. Transubstantiation – The Roman Catholic view that the bread and the cup actually become or change into the body and blood of Christ.
2. Consubstantiation – The Lutheran view that the bread and the cup contain the body and blood of Christ. Sometimes described as “In, with and under.”
3. Symbolic or Memorial – The major Protestant view that the bread and the cup symbolize the body and blood of Christ. This view recognizes and celebrates the spiritual presence of Christ as believers gather to worship around the Lord’s Supper.

The Lord’s Supper is a visual, participatory reminder of the Center of our faith and the Circle of our faith.

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

Who Should Take the Lord’s Supper?

Only those who are already Believers

“For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” (1 Corinthians 11:29, ESV)

How Do I Prepare Myself for the Lord’s Supper?

1. Self-Examination
   “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 11:27, ESV)
2. Confession of Sin
   “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, ESV)
3. Restoring Relationships
   “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23–24, ESV)
4. Recommitment and Resurrender
   “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (Romans 12:1, ESV)