Thoughts on the Lord's Supper: Proclaiming the Dying Love of Christ

Main Passages to Study:
Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:23-26; Luke 22:14-23; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

What I believe about The Lord’s Supper:
1. The Lord’s Supper is an act of corporate worship that communicates the truth of the gospel. Communion is to be observed by a church as a vivid portrayal of Christ’s death for sins.

2. The purpose of The Lord’s Supper is to proclaim Christ’s death (1 Cor. 11:26). The broken bread symbolizes Jesus’ body that was broken for sin (1 Cor. 11:24). The cup symbolizes the blood of Jesus spilled for His people (1 Cor. 11:25).

3. Scripture does not prescribe a frequency with which to observe the Lord’s Supper. However, it seems that the early church practiced communion weekly. It should be a spiritually significant and emphasized part of the regular practice of the local church. Christ Baptist Church currently observes The Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of each month as part of our Sunday morning gathering.

4. The Lord’s Supper is to be observed with an expectation of Christ’s return (Matthew 26:29; 1 Cor. 11:26).

5. The Lord’s Supper is an opportunity to express the unity of the local church (1 Cor. 11:18-19, 33). It is to be observed within a community of believers (1 Cor. 10:17). Broken relationships within the body of Christ should be repaired before partaking of the elements.

6. Only believers should partake of the elements of The Lord’s Supper and only after self-examination (1 Cor. 11:27-29). Unbelievers cannot adequately proclaim Christ’s death because they have not appropriated it for themselves. Paul assumes that some gathered on the Lord’s Day should not partake of the elements (1 Cor. 11:28).

7. In partaking of The Lord’s Supper, we are affirming our personal faith in Christ. In participating in communion, we acknowledge that we are sinners in need of a Savior. The Lord’s Supper is an abandonment of our sin and an embracing of Jesus Christ.

8. The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Christ Himself (Matthew 26:26-28). The Lord’s Supper is one of two ordinances given to the church by Christ (along with baptism).

What I deny about The Lord’s Supper:
The elements of The Lord’s Supper are not mystically changed. The bread does not become the actual body of Jesus and the cup does not become the actual blood of Jesus. The Lord’s Supper is not a new offering of Christ’s sacrifice. It is a remembrance of the one sacrifice for sin, done once for all (Hebrews 9:27-28; 10:12).