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, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and the writings of the Apostle Paul. The primary object of this sacred ordinance is multifaceted, encompassing remembrance, proclamation, participation, and anticipation.Remembrance The Lord's Supper serves as a memorial of Christ's sacrificial death. Jesus, during the Last Supper, instructed His disciples to partake of the bread and wine in remembrance of Him. In 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 , Paul recounts Jesus' words: "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.'" The act of remembrance is not merely a mental exercise but a profound spiritual engagement with the reality of Christ's atoning work on the cross. Proclamation The Lord's Supper is also a proclamation of the Lord's death until He comes again. As believers partake in the elements, they declare the central truth of the Christian faith: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 11:26 : "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." This proclamation serves as a witness to the world and a reminder to the church of the foundation of their faith. Participation Communion signifies the believer's participation in the body and blood of Christ. It is a means of grace through which believers experience a spiritual union with their Savior. In 1 Corinthians 10:16 , Paul writes, "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" This participation is both individual and communal, as believers collectively affirm their unity in Christ and with one another. Anticipation The Lord's Supper also looks forward to the future, anticipating the return of Christ and the consummation of His kingdom. Jesus alluded to this eschatological hope during the Last Supper, as recorded in Matthew 26:29 : "I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom." The celebration of Communion thus becomes a foretaste of the heavenly banquet that awaits believers, fostering hope and perseverance in the Christian journey. In summary, the object of the Communion of the Lord's Supper is to remember Christ's sacrifice, proclaim His death, participate in His body and blood, and anticipate His glorious return. Through this sacred ordinance, believers are drawn into a deeper relationship with their Savior and with one another, as they reflect on the past, live in the present, and look forward to the future. Torrey's Topical Textbook Luke 22:19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and broke it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Corinthians 11:24,26 Library Of the Lord's Supper, and the Benefits Conferred by It. The Lord's Supper Instituted. Questions About the Lord's Supper 1 Corinthians xi. 26 Gottlieb Shober. Concerning the Communion, or Participation of the Body and Blood ... Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ... The Paschal Supper - the Institution of the Lord's Supper. Concerning the Lord's Supper The Ordinances of the New Testament. Resources How often should the Lord's Supper / Communion be observed? | GotQuestions.orgAre baptism and communion means of grace? | GotQuestions.org Is intinction the correct way to do communion? | 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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