Theology 101 No. 26

The Lord’s Supper

Having discussed the God’s Word and the sacrament of Baptism, there is one more Means of Grace that needs mentioning. The Sacrament of the Altar is an important and powerful means by which our Heavenly Father communicates to us the forgiveness of sin in and through His Son Jesus Christ. The Sacrament of the Altar is also called the Lord’s Supper, Communion, or the Eucharist. It is an important part of the Christian’s faith life. It is also a different sacrament than Baptism. Baptism is a sacrament of incorporation. It brings us into the family of God. Baptism is thus the sacrament of evangelism. Anyone may be baptized as anyone can be brought into the faith - Jew or Gentile, male or female. The Lord’s Supper is not as broad in its usage and according to the Scriptures, it is not and “evangelical” sacrament as some would claim. It is a sacrament of fellowship/unity between believers and is not open to just anyone (more on fellowship and the Lord’s Supper next week).

For the Lord’s Supper to be the Lord’s Supper, it must be done according the Jesus’ own words and institution. Just as Baptism has visible elements, so too communion. According to Christ’s institution the bread and wine (fruit of the vine) are to be used. The color of the wine is not important, nor is they type of bread (leaven versus unleavened), although Jesus would have used unleavened bread at the Passover celebration on Maundy Thursday. It has also been a subject of debate over the years as to whether or not the Common Cup is the only legitimate way to receive the wine. Let it be said that it is not the sharing of the same cup that brings about the unity found in the Lord’s Supper, but the common faith shared by those who this meal together.

There are three basic views of what the Lord’s Supper is. Some church bodies focus on the word (in the Words of Institution) A . . . do this in remembrance of Me.” This group views the Lord’s Supper as a memorial meal and Christ is present among His believers only spiritually. This teaching denies the clear word of Christ when He says in those same Words of Institution, “This is My body . . . This is my Blood . . . .” Christ’s Words demand an understanding that He is truly present IN the sacrament. The Roman Catholic church teaches that the bread and wine turn into the body and blood and cease being bread and wine. This view, while keeping with Christ’s true presence in the meal, defies logic and does not find support in the Scriptures. It is an idea that is a by-product of mixing Christian theology with ancient Greek philosophy to explain “how” this true presence can be. As Lutherans we simply teach that the Word’s of Christ are true, that He is truly present in this sacrament in, with, and under the elements (bread and wine). We cannot and do not know or understand how this (sacramental) union can be, but we trust that Christ’s Words are true. (It should be noted that most false teaching over the centuries is simply the end result of people attempting to answer questions of faith that do not have their answer in the Word of God. Sometimes believers must take God’s Word at face value recognizing our sinful, finite minds cannot know or understand everything.)

When coming to the Lord’s Supper we are commanded to “examine ourselves” before approaching the table (I Corinthians 11:28). We should examine ourselves (1) to see if we are truly repent of our sins, (2) whether we truly believe Jesus Christ is our Savior from sin, death and the devil, (3) and whether we intend, with the help and aid of the Holy Spirit, to amend our sinful lives and strive to live a Godly life. Repentance and faith are only sincere when one truly desires to live life according to God’s will. The unwillingness or inability to examine oneself disqualifies that person from taking the Lord’s Supper. Those who remain unrepentant, refuse to forgive (hold a grudge), and those who have not be properly instructed in the faith are also to be excluded. It must be remembered that this sacrament is a coupling of great blessing and grave responsibility. This sacrament carries with it warnings and consequences for its improper use (See I Corinthians 11).

Because of the wonderful blessings this sacred meal provides, Christians are to commune frequently and regularly. We live in a world that is full of sin and temptation. Our Old Adam (the sin that remains in us) and the lure and lusts of the world constantly tug at us and challenge our faith. As physical food strengthens our bodies, this spiritual meal strengthens us so that we can remain strong against the assaults of the evil one. This meal strengthens us to live a Godly life in an ungodly world.

The Lord’s Supper also reassures us that what Christ did on the Cross, He did for us as individuals. When we take the bread and the wine we are assured the “Christ died for me. His forgiveness is meant for me.” This is a very personal element of this fellowship meal. Christ makes the forgiveness of sins certain in this blessed meal. It is His pledge and seal of what He has done for us upon the Cross and in His glorious Resurrection. And it carries with it the promise of eternal life with Him and is a “foretaste of the feast to come.”