David Brown
Christ covenant reformed (PCA)
4787 Palmer Road S.W. - Reynoldsburg, OH 43068-3315

Copyright 2004

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper

"For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup." (1 Corinthians 11: 23-28)

The celebration of the Lord's Supper is a time of joy and gratitude, a time of personal examination and reflection, and a time during which we proclaim the Lord's death. This sacrament was instituted by Christ to be observed in His church, to show forth His life and death on our behalf and so that we might be spiritually nourished and strengthened as we live for Him. In this pamphlet we will briefly go over the various aspects of this precious ceremony.

A SACRAMENT, as defined in The Westminster Confession, “is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace. This covenant is the plan of salvation revealed to fallen mankind, which promises eternal life and fellowship with God to all who trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation.

God was pleased to give His people various signs (or "pictures") throughout Scripture to visibly represent His work in redemption. As this redemptive plan was applied to God's people in the Old Testament (or Old Covenant), Christ's work was foreshadowed through various "copies" or "types," in prophecies, promises and sacrifices, all signifying the coming Messiah.  This redemption in Christ was especially pictured in the celebration of the Passover, where a lamb was slain, his blood shed and body eaten, as a sacrificial substitute for God's people. Yet in the New Covenant (or New Testament) application of the covenant of grace, after Christ's work was completed, the Passover ceremony was replaced by what we refer to as the Lord's Supper. In this ordinance we recognize though a "picture" that Christ's body and blood was given so that we might be graciously spared and have eternal life.

COMMUNION:  The bread of this sacrament represents Christ's body while the drink represents His shed blood. Jesus said, "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him." (John 6.54-56) On the basis of His life and death we are restored to fellowship with the Triune God. Christ was truly an unblemished lamb; in the flesh Christ fulfilled God's law with perfect obedience as a sinner's representative. As He was slain, His blood was shed to atone for the just punishment due to sinners.

Paul tells us in Romans 6.23, that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord." The marvelous thing about Christ's role in redemption is that His work comes to us freely and without cost! Our salvation comes to us as a gift! All who trust in Christ, though they are sinners, will have their sins atoned for in Christ, and will be imputed with His righteousness. Through Christ we are reconciled to the holy God. We commune spiritually with God and with each other in Christ because we share in His redemptive work. Thus, though the elements of the Lord's Supper are only bread and the fruit of the vine, yet they represent His spiritual work and presence. Through His Spirit we feed upon His body and blood and are spiritually refreshed.

PREPARATION:  How does one prepare to celebrate the Lord's Supper? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11.28, "But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup." This instruction, in its context, tells us several things. Of course we should always be sober and reverent as we worship God daily and on the Lord's Day, but this is especially true concerning the Lord's Supper. Paul warns that many in Corinth had felt God's admonishment for taking this sacrament lightly or without understanding. It is therefore proper for us to prepare for this celebration.

First, we must examine ourselves and recognize the fact that we are sinners, both in having sinful natures and as having sinned. No doubt even recently we have sinned in various ways, and it is good to acknowledge, confess and repent of our sinfulness.

Second, we must also examine the body of Christ in relation to His purpose in redemption. Our only hope in salvation is to put our trust in what Christ has done. None of our works, however pleasing they may be in our eyes, will satisfy God's demands and His justice. And so we meditate upon the Gospel and examine our faith to see if it indeed rests upon the blessed Savior.

To ignore either part of this examination process, or to participate apart from salvation, is to eat and drink in an unworthy manner.  It is appropriate for us to prepare for the Lord's Supper prior to the worship service. But time is also provided during worship to focus on this sacrament, as the minister explains its purpose, "fences the table" against those who may bring judgment upon themselves, and distributes the elements.

PARTICIPATION:  All are invited to participate who are members of this church or who have publicly professed their faith and joined a Bible-believing, evangelical church. Those who have not yet come to Christ, whether children or adults, ought to refrain from partaking in this celebration, as well as those who are under the discipline of the church. However, they are nonetheless challenged to consider their standing before the Lord and their need for Christ. Children are especially encouraged to come to Christ for salvation as soon as they are able, so that they may also participate in this holy ordinance and be nourished spiritually in their communion with the Lord.

The elders of the church, the Session, administer the Lord's Supper to the communicants. Those who are visiting or have not yet publicly professed their faith in Christ should meet with the Session prior to partaking. It is also important for the Session to direct the meetings of the church and the content of the teachings so that all are encouraged to come in faith to Christ and to develop their faith in Him. and to proclaim His death until He returns.

The Lord's Supper, first and foremost, are for those who as sinners have found salvation in Christ. Salvation does not depend upon whether or not a person participates - the Lord's Supper does not save nor does it maintain a person's standing before the Lord. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Yet it is nonetheless a celebration of Christ's work done for us, and while we approach this solemn feast with reverence, we are also to be filled with gratitude and joy in the redemption it pictures and symbolizes. "Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling." (Psalm 2:11)

While we all continue to sin and fall short of God's law in our sanctification, it is precisely for this reason that we can find comfort and hope in sharing communion with the Lord and with each other, for this communion is founded upon the eternal and immutable saving work of Christ.  Paul not only encourages us to examine ourselves, but he also then calls us to participate in this glorious sacrament: to remember Christ's work on our behalf, to feast upon our Lord Jesus and be spiritually nourished and fed, and to proclaim His death until He returns.

“Do this in remembrance of Me."