The Atonement, a central tenet of Christian theology, refers to the reconciling work of Jesus Christ through His sacrificial death on the cross, which restores the broken relationship between God and humanity. This profound act of divine love and justice is commemorated in the ordinance of the Lord's Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist. The Lord's Supper serves as a perpetual reminder of Christ's atoning sacrifice and the new covenant established through His blood.

Biblical Foundation

The institution of the Lord's Supper is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels and further expounded upon by the Apostle Paul. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus, during the Last Supper with His disciples, takes bread, gives thanks, breaks it, and gives it to them, saying, "Take and eat; this is My body" (Matthew 26:26). He then takes the cup, gives thanks, and offers 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" (Matthew 26:27-28).

The Apostle Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, reiterates the significance of this ordinance: "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, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me'" (1 Corinthians 11:23-25).

Theological Significance

The Lord's Supper is a profound act of worship and remembrance, deeply rooted in the atoning work of Christ. It symbolizes the believer's participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus, affirming the transformative power of His sacrifice. The bread and the cup represent the body and blood of Christ, signifying His physical suffering and the shedding of His blood for the remission of sins.

The Lord's Supper also serves as a proclamation of the new covenant, a fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah's redemptive work. The prophet Jeremiah foretold this new covenant, stating, "I will forgive their iniquity and will remember their sins no more" (Jeremiah 31:34). Through the Lord's Supper, believers are reminded of the fulfillment of this promise and the assurance of eternal life through faith in Christ.

Communal and Eschatological Dimensions

The Lord's Supper is not only a personal act of remembrance but also a communal expression of unity among believers. As the Apostle Paul emphasizes, "Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf" (1 Corinthians 10:17). This unity reflects the body of Christ, the Church, and underscores the communal aspect of the Christian faith.

Furthermore, the Lord's Supper carries an eschatological dimension, pointing to the future hope of Christ's return. Paul instructs the Corinthians, "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). This forward-looking aspect of the ordinance encourages believers to live in anticipation of the consummation of God's kingdom.

Practical Observance

The observance of the Lord's Supper varies among Christian denominations, but its core elements remain consistent: the partaking of bread and wine (or grape juice) in remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. It is a time for self-examination, repentance, and renewal of one's commitment to Christ. Paul admonishes believers to approach the table with reverence and sincerity, warning against partaking in an unworthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

In summary, the Lord's Supper is a vital expression of Christian faith, commemorating the atoning work of Jesus Christ. It serves as a reminder of His sacrificial love, the unity of the Church, and the hope of His glorious return. Through this sacred ordinance, believers are continually drawn into the mystery and majesty of the Atonement, living in the light of its transformative power.Matthew 26:26-28
And 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 11:23-26
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Doctrine and Discipline of the Church
... confessing their sin and making some form of atonement. ... Miracles so commemorated
often occurred in connection with relics ... grail, the cup which our Lord used at ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xi doctrine and discipline.htm

Carey's Last Days
... and plead the efficacy of that atonement which will ... entering into the joy of his
Lord, and above ... headed in the eighteenth, and whom Wordsworth commemorated as. ...
/.../smith/the life of william carey/chapter xvi careys last days.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... shape of the Chalice of the Last Supper, which passed ... the time when she was bearing
Our Lord within her ... These were used for certain ceremonies of atonement. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

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