THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD'S SUPPER.

358. What is the Lord's Supper?

It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself for Christians to eat and to drink.

359. Repeat the Words of Institution.

"Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He brake it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you; this do in remembrance of me.

"After the same manner, also, when He had supped, He took the cup, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me."

360. When did Jesus institute the Lord's Supper?

In the night in which He was betrayed to death; it is therefore called the Lord's Supper.

361. Is it important to note the time when Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper?

Yes; for it shows the loving care of our Savior, who just before His suffering and death thought more of us than of Himself.

362. What do we receive in the Lord's Supper?

In and with the bread and the wine we receive the body and blood of Christ, which He gave up in death for us.

363. How do you know this?

Christ says concerning the bread: "Take, eat; this is my body."

Concerning the wine He says: "Drink ye all of it; this cup is the New Testament in my blood."

364. What is meant by "New Testament" in this connection?

Thereby is meant the new covenant which God has made and sealed with the blood of Jesus.

1 Cor. 10:16. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

365. What, therefore, makes the bread and the wine a sacrament of the body and blood of Christ?

God's own Word which is added to the bread and the wine; for as Luther says, "Bread and wine alone are but bread and wine; but being united with the Word of God, they are truly the body and blood of Christ. For as the mouth of Christ speaks, so it is; He can neither lie nor deceive."

366. For whom is the Lord's Supper intended?

The Lord's Supper is intended for true Christians, who are of age and understanding to prove themselves.

1 Cor. 11: 28. [R. V.] Let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.

367. What benefit do we have from the Lord's Supper?

It is shown by these words: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins;" namely, that in the sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

368. But does not the believer have the forgiveness of sins before he partakes of the Lord's Supper?

Yes; the believer has the forgiveness of sins through Baptism and the Word.

369. How, then, can the forgiveness of sins in a particular sense be connected with this sacrament?

Because in the Lord's Supper we receive the body and blood of Christ, which were offered up for us, as a sure pledge of the forgiveness of sins.

370. In what way does the believer get life and salvation through this sacrament?

Through this sacrament the believer is brought into spiritual fellowship with his Lord and Savior, who imparts Himself to him and thus preserves and strengthens him in faith, hope, and love unto eternal life.

John 6: 56. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

371. Does not the sacrament of the Lord's Supper also bring about a more intimate fellowship between believers?

Yes; believers are united in a closer fellowship through partaking in common of the Lord Jesus and eternal life in Him.

1 Cor. 10:17. For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

372. How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?

It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does it, but the words which stand here: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins." These words, together with the bodily eating and drinking, are the chief thing in the sacrament; and He that believes these words, has what they say and mean, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

373. Is it of little importance how we receive the Lord's Supper?

By no means; we must be prepared when we go to partake of these gifts. It is much worse to go to the Lord's Supper unprepared and unworthily than not to go at all.

374. Who, then, receive this sacrament worthily?

Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a good outward practise;

But he alone is truly worthy and well prepared, who believes these words: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins."

But he who believes not these words is unworthy and unprepared. The words, "for you" require truly believing hearts.

375. Who, then, is rightly prepared to partake of the Lord's Supper?

He who believes these words: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins."

376. What is meant by "believing" these words?

Thereby is meant that we heartily feel our sin and unworthiness before God, but also that we confidently accept for ourselves the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

377. Who partake of the Lord's Supper unworthily?

They who do not feel nor repent their sins, and who do not from their heart believe in Jesus.

1 Cor. 11:29. He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

378. Why do such unconverted persons partake of the Lord's Supper?

They do so either from custom or habit, or because they are ashamed to neglect the Lord's Supper, or again because they mean to please God by this outward obedience.

379. Should such persons be admitted to the Lord's Supper?

No.

Matt 7:6. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine.

380. What must we do in order that we may not partake of the Lord's Supper unworthily?

We must prayerfully search our own hearts as in the presence of God, whether we repent our sins and believe in Jesus Christ, and whether we have an honest purpose to abstain from even our bosom sins.

1 Cor. 11:28.

381. How often should we partake of the Lord's Supper?

Christ has not told us how often we should partake, but He has said, "This do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me".

382. What should move us to partake of the Lord's Supper often?

First of all, the command and promise of our Lord and Savior; then, our own great need, which is the reason for our Father's tender invitation and promise of grace.

383. What are the common causes for the neglect of the Lord's Supper?

Spiritual dullness and indifference, a worldly mind, pride, and disregard for God's grace and ordinance.

384. Should the feeling of our own unworthiness keep us away from the Lord's Supper?

No; the more we feel our own unworthiness, and the more we sincerely long for God's forgiveness, the more worthy are we to receive His grace.

Matt. 5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1 Pet. 5:5. God giveth grace to the humble.

385. What must we do when we receive the Lord's Supper?

We must remember our Savior and His death.

Luke 22:19. This do in remembrance of me.

386. How should we remember Christ's death?

We should earnestly fix our mind upon the suffering and death of Christ, so that we may be strengthened in faith and in love to Him, who loved us unto death.

1 Cor. 11:26. As often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.

387. What should be our conduct when we have received the Lord's Supper?

We should quietly think of the great love which God has shown us, and heartily thank Him for it; not only for a few days, but always, keep near to Jesus, show His death in word and act, and in a sanctified life prove that the body and blood of Christ have power to cleanse from sin.

1 Pet. 2:24. Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto rigtheousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

388. Is he who thus believes and lives in fellowship with Christ sure to be saved?

Yes; when he continues steadfast in faith until death.

Matt. 24:13. He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Rev. 2:10. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Transcriber's Note