Questions & Answers

#GC349 According to your replies, the Supper takes us back to the death and passion of Jesus Christ, that we may communicate in its virtue? Yes, for then the unique and perpetual sacrifice was offered for our redemption. Therefore there remains for us nought but to enjoy it.
#GC350 The Supper, then, was not instituted in order to offer up the body of Jesus the Son to the Father? No, for this office pertains to none but Him alone, since He is the eternal Priest (Heb 5:5). But He commands us only to receive His body, not to offer it (Mat 26:26).
#GC351 Why is there a double sign? Our Lord has appointed it for the sake of our weakness, in order to teach us that He is not only food to our souls, but drink also, so that we may seek our nourishment wholly and entirely in Him, and...
#GC352 Should all men equally use the second sign, that is the chalice? Yes, this is according to the commandment of Jesus Christ, against which nothing is to be attempted.
#GC353 Do we have in the Supper simply the testimony of the things already mentioned, or are they truly given to us in it? See that Jesus Christ is the Truth, there can be no doubt that the promises which He made at the Supper, are actually fulfilled in it, and that what He figures in it is made true. Thus in accordance w...
#GC354 But how can this be, when the body of Jesus Christ is in heaven, and we are pilgrims on this earth? By the incomprehensible power of His Spirit, who conjoins things separated by distance.
#GC355 You do not think, then, either that the body is enclosed in the bread, or the blood in the chalice? No. On the contrary, in order to have the reality of the sacraments, we must lift up our hearts on high to heaven, where Jesus Christ is in the glory of His Father, from whence we expect Him in our re...
#GC356 You understand, then, that there are two things in this sacrament, material bread and wine, which we see by the eye, handle by the hands, and perceive by the taste, and Jesus Christ by whom our souls are inwardly nourished? Yes, but in such a way that we have in it also a testimony and a kind of pledge for the resurrection of our bodies, in that they are made partakers in the sign of life.
#GC357 What is the right use of this sacrament? That which St. Paul declares, namely that a man examine himself before he approach to it (1Co 11:28).
#GC358 In what is he to examine himself? Whether he is a true member of Jesus Christ.
#GC359 By what sign can he know this? If he has a true faith and repentance, if he loves his neighbour in true charity, and is not tainted by hatred or rancour or discord.
#GC360 But is it necessary to have perfect faith and charity? Both should be entire and unfeigned, but to have such a perfection, from which nothing is wanting, will not be found among men. Moreover the Supper would have been instituted in vain if no one could r...
#GC361 Imperfection, then, does not prevent us from approaching it? On the contrary, the Supper would be of no use to us, if we were not imperfect. It is an aid and support for our weakness.
#GC362 Do these two sacraments not serve another end? Yes, they do. They are also signs and marks of our profession. That is to say, by them we declare that we are of the people of God, and make confession of our Christianity.
#GC363 How ought we to judge a man who never wishes to use it? He could not be regarded as a Christian, for in so doing he refuses to confess himself as such, and tacitly, as it were, disavows Jesus Christ.
#GC364 Is it sufficient to receive each once? Baptism is only ordered to be received once, and may not lawfully be repeated. But this is not so with the Supper.
#GC365 What is the reason for that? By baptism God introduces and receives us into His Church. After He has received us, He signifies by the Supper that He wishes continually to nourish us.
#GC366 To whom does it belong truly to baptize and administer the Supper? To those who are publicly charged to teach in the Church. For the preaching of the Word and the distribution of the sacraments are things conjoined.
#GC367 Is there any certain proof for this? Yes, indeed. Our Lord specially charged His Apostles to baptize as well as to preach (Mat 28:19). In regard to the Supper. He ordered all to follow His example. Moreover He performed the office of a m...
#GC368 But ought pastors, who are appointed to dispense the sacraments, to admit without discretion all who present themselves there? In regard to baptism, as it is administered today only to infants, there is no need for discrimination; but in the Supper the minister ought to take heed not to give it to a man whom he recognizes to...
#GC369 Why so? Because it would pollute and dishonour the sacrament.
#GC370 But our Lord admitted Judas to the Supper, impious though he was? His iniquity was still hidden, and although our Lord knew it, yet it was not evident to all.
#GC371 What then is to be done with hypocrites? The minister cannot exclude them as unworthy, but must wait until God has revealed their iniquity.
#GC372 But what if he knows or has been warned that someone is unworthy? That would not be sufficient to exclude him, unless there were a legitimate investigation and decision of the Church.
#GC373 Then there ought to be some order and polity regarding this? Yes, if the Church is to be well ordered. Some persons must be appointed to watch out for the offences that may be committed. And they, with the authority of the Church, should refuse communion to tho...

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