The Means of Grace : The Sacraments : The Lord’s Supper – Questions 96-97
Q. 96. What is the Lord’s Supper?
The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament in which, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to Christ’s appointment, his death is proclaimed,[a] and those who receive rightly are by faith (and not by the mouth in a physical manner) made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.[b]
[a]. Luk 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26
[b]. 1 Cor 10:16-17
Comment on Q. 96.
The Roman, Greek, and Lutheran churches teach that Christ is present in a bodily way in the Supper. Rome teaches that the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ though retaining the appearance of bread and wine (this is called transubstantiation). The preacher becomes a priest, the rite become a bloodless repetition of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and the elements are worshipped. All of this is unscriptural.The Lutheran church rejects the sacrifice idea, but affirms a bodily presence of the whole Christ in, with, or under the bread and wine. This is called consubstantiation, but among other objections implies views inconsistent with the spacial limitation of Christ’s humanity. Christ is now in heaven, but he is truly present among his people through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is a spiritual feeding, and faith is the receptive faculty of the soul.
Q. 97. What is required to receive rightly the Lord’s Supper?
It is required of those who would receive rightly the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves as to their knowledge of the meaning and object of this sacrament, their faith to feed upon Christ, and their repentance, love and new obedience; for coming in an unworthy manner would bring judgement on themselves.[a]
[a]. 1 Cor 11:27-32
Comment on Q. 97.
Although baptism marks entry into membership of the church, only those old enough to discern its meaning may participate in the Lord’s Supper. Hence arises the distinction between baptised members and members in full communion.