Topical Encyclopedia The Communion of the Lord's Supper, also known as the Eucharist or Holy Communion, is a sacrament instituted by Jesus Christ during the Last Supper with His disciples. This sacred observance is a central rite in Christian worship, symbolizing the New Covenant between God and humanity through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Biblical Foundation The institution of the Lord's Supper is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and the writings of the Apostle Paul. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus shares the Passover meal with His disciples, during which He establishes this new ordinance. Matthew 26:26-28 states: "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is My body.' Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.'" Similarly, the Gospel of Mark recounts this event in Mark 14:22-24 : "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'Take it; this is My body.' Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it. He said to them, 'This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.'" The Gospel of Luke provides additional context, emphasizing the remembrance aspect of the Lord's Supper. Luke 22:19-20 records: "And He took the bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.'" The Apostle Paul further elucidates the significance of the Lord's Supper in his first letter to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 , Paul writes: "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, 'This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, 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 until He comes." Theological Significance The Communion of the Lord's Supper is a profound expression of Christian faith, encapsulating the mystery of Christ's atoning sacrifice. It serves as a tangible reminder of Jesus' body broken and His blood shed for the redemption of humanity. The elements of bread and wine (or grape juice) symbolize the body and blood of Christ, inviting believers to partake in the spiritual nourishment and unity found in Him. The Lord's Supper is also a proclamation of the believer's hope in the return of Christ. As Paul notes, the act of communion is a declaration of the Lord's death "until He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). This eschatological dimension underscores the anticipation of the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Liturgical Practice The observance of the Lord's Supper varies among Christian denominations, but it is universally regarded as a sacred and solemn occasion. Participants are encouraged to examine themselves, as Paul advises in 1 Corinthians 11:28 : "Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup." This self-examination ensures that the sacrament is approached with reverence and sincerity. In many traditions, the Lord's Supper is celebrated regularly, whether weekly, monthly, or on special occasions, reflecting the ongoing need for spiritual sustenance and community fellowship. The communal aspect of the sacrament highlights the unity of believers as the body of Christ, transcending individual differences and fostering a shared identity in Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Matthew 26:26And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Corinthians 11:23 Library On Communion in the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper Instituted. The Lord's Supper. Article xxii (X): of Both Kinds in the Lord's Supper. Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It. On the Lord's Supper The Lord's Supper The Lord's Supper Questions About the Lord's Supper Concerning the Lord's Supper Resources Should communion be open or closed? | GotQuestions.orgIs a virtual/online communion service biblical? | GotQuestions.org Is the observance of First Communion biblical? | GotQuestions.org Communion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Communion of Saints in Exhortation Communion of Saints in Holy Conversation Communion of Saints in Mutual Comfort and Edification Communion of Saints in Mutual Sympathy and Kindness Communion of Saints in Prayer for Each Other Communion of Saints in Public and Social Worship Communion of Saints in the Lord's Supper Communion of Saints is With: Each Other Communion of Saints is With: God Communion of Saints is With: Saints in Heaven Communion of Saints: According to the Prayer of Christ Communion of Saints: Christ is Present In Communion of Saints: Delight of Communion of Saints: Exhortation To Communion of Saints: God Marks, With his Approval Communion of Saints: Opposed to Communion With the Wicked Communion of Saints: The Church Communion of the Lord's Supper is the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ Communion of the Lord's Supper was Continually Partaken of, by the Church Communion of the Lord's Supper: Both Bread and Wine are Necessary to be Received In Communion of the Lord's Supper: Instituted Communion of the Lord's Supper: Newness of Heart and Life Necessary to the Worthy Partaking Communion of the Lord's Supper: Object of Communion of the Lord's Supper: Partakers of, be Wholly Separate to God Communion of the Lord's Supper: Prefigured Communion of the Lord's Supper: Self-Examination Commanded Before Partaking of Communion of the Lord's Supper: Unworthy Partakers of are Guilty of the Body and Blood of Christ Communion of the Lord's Supper: Unworthy Partakers of are Visited With Judgments Communion of the Lord's Supper: Unworthy Partakers of Discern not the Lord's Body Communion With God is Communion With the Father Communion With God is Communion With the Holy Spirit Communion With God is Communion With the Son Communion With God: Holiness Essential To Communion With God: Promised to the Obedient Communion With God: Reconciliation Must Precede Communion With God: Saints: Desire Communion With God: Saints: Have, in Meditation Communion With God: Saints: Have, in Prayer Communion With God: Saints: Have, in the Lord's Supper Communion With God: Saints: should Always Enjoy Related Terms |
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