Lord's Supper Flashcards
Where is the Lord’s Supper mentioned?
The Lord’s Supper is only mentioned in Matt 26:20-35; Mark 14:12-31; Luke 22:14-23; and then likely or perhaps hinted at in Luke 24:30-35 and “the breaking of bread” as in Acts 2:42; 20:7. The clearest teaching on this sacrament is found in 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:34; cf. 5:7-8. Notably, the marriage Supper of the Lamb is mentioned in Revelation 19:9, 17. For Jesus’ similar actions of blessing bread, see the feedings in Mark 6:41 and 8:6; Luke 9:15-16 and also His words in John 21:13; 27:35.
What is the meaning of the Lord’s Supper? Or what is the Lord’s Supper (#96)?
The Lord’s supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is showed forth; and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment, and growth in grace.
What “happens” in the Lord’s Supper?
We spiritually feed on Christ’s body and blood and receive all his benefits.
WCF 29:2 In this sacrament, Christ is not offered up to His Father; not any real sacrifice made at all, for remission of sins of the quick or dead; but only a commemoration of that one offering up of Himself, by Himself, upon the cross, once for all: and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God, for the same, so that the popish sacrifice of the mass (as they call it) is most abominably injurious to Christ’s one, only sacrifice, the alone propitiation for all the sins of His elect.
The body and blood
• Not corporally or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine
• Yet spiritually present to the faith of the receiver (truly and really)—so that the worthily communicate does feed upon the body and blood of Christ … in a spiritual manner
Distinguish Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed and Zwinglian views. (Lord’s Supper)
- Catholic The elements actually become the body and blood of Christ
- Lutheran The physical body of Chris is present “in, with, and under” the bread
- Reformed The elements symbolize the body and blood; Christ spiritually present in believer
- Zwinglian The elements symbolic the body and blood (period)
Use Scripture to defend the Reformed view. Why don’t you believe the other views? (Lord’s Supper)
- Christ lives and reigns in heaven (Acts 3:21—speaks of the heaven’s receiving Christ until the restitution of all things) (He still has a human body)
- Yet, he is spiritual present in the world, especially where He says He will be
- Thus …. Eating the bread and drinking the cup unworthily (has suffered illness) and shall be “guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord” and eats and drinks damnation unto himself (1 Cor 11:24-29)
- “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it is not communion/participation of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not communion/participation with the body of Christ?” (1 Cor 10:16)
Is Christ in any sense present in the Lord’s Supper? If so, how?
He is really spiritually presence
WCF 29:7 Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements, in this sacrament (1 Cor 11:28) do then also, inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally but spiritually, receive, and feed upon, Christ crucified, and all benefits of His death: the body and blood of Christ being then, not corporally or carnally, in, with, or under the bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses (1 Cor 10:16)
How do we prepare to take the Lord’s Super? Or what is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper (#97)?
It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.
Examine ourselves: sins, love to God, love to others, forgiveness, prayer
Who is invited to the table? (BCO 58-4 b)
At the discretion of the session, the minister may invite either (1) all those who profess the true religion and are communicants in good standing in any evangelical church, or (2) those who have been approved by the session
*The weak/doubting are invited (WLC 172)—ought to come that he may be further strengthened
How should believers receive the Lord’s Supper?
1) With all holy reverence and attention; 2)
discerning the Lord’s body;
3) meditating on his death and sufferings;
4) feeding on him by faith
What are benefits of the Lord’s Supper (from BCO 58-4 b)
1) Strengthen us against sin
2) Support us under troubles
3) Encourage and quicken us in our duties
4) Increase our faith and holy resolution
5) Beget peace of conscience and comfortable hopes of eternal life
How often should the Lord’s Supper be observed?
Frequently; the stated times determined by the session of each congregation (BCO 58-1)
According to the BCO, how is “fencing the table” practiced during communion?
- A warning given to unbelievers and the unrepentant
- Those under censure not allowed to partake (the ignorant and scandalous are not to be admitted to the Lord’s Supper—BCO 58-2)
- Also, the session can determine to give the sacrament only to members within the local body
Lord’s Supper and Baptism: How do they agree and differ?
Agree God is author; Christ is the spiritual part; seals of the same covenant; by ministers; continued until Christ’s coming
Differ Baptism: Once Water
Supper: Often Bread/wine
