What is the Lord’s supper?
The Lord’s supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ; wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to his appointment, his death is shown forth, and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace.
Proofs
- The Lord’s supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ; wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to his appointment, his death is shown forth, and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. (Matthew 26:26–28; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; 10:16)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is the Lord’s supper of divine appointment?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It was received of the Lord, (1 Corinthians 11:23)
Did Christ institute it a little before his death?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The same night wherein he was betrayed, (1 Corinthians 11:23)
And doth this add force to the command?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thy Father did command before he died, (Genesis 50:16)
Are all true Christians invited hereto?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Come, for all things are now ready, (Luke 14:17)
And shall they be welcome if they come?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Eat, 0 friends, drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved, (Song of Solomon 5:1)
Section 2
Is bread to be used in this ordinance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he took bread, (Matthew 26:26)
And wine?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He took the cup when he had supped, (1 Corinthians 11:25)
Are bread and wine significative of all the necessaries of life?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Eat thy bread with joy and drink thy wine with a merry heart, (Ecclesiastes 9:7)
And do they herein aptly represent Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell, (Colossians 1:19)
Section 3
Must the elements be blessed?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The cup of blessing which we bless, (1 Corinthians 10:16)
And when blessed be given and received?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Jesus took bread and gave it to them, he also took the cup and gave it to them, (Mark 14:22–23)
And may all partake of the latter as well as the former?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Drink ye all of it, (Matthew 26:27)
Section 4
Doth the bread signify the body of Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: This is my body, (1 Corinthians 11:24)
Doth the wine signify the blood of Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: This cup is the new testament in my blood, (Luke 22:20)
Is the doctrine then of Christ crucified, meat and drink to a believing soul?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed, (John 6:55)
And are we to feed upon that doctrine?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He that eateth me, even he shall live by me, (John 6:57)
Section 5
Is this a commemorative ordinance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Do this in remembrance of me, (1 Corinthians 11:24)
Doth it show forth the death of Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As oft as ye eat of this bread and drink of this cup, ye do show forth the Lord’s death, (1 Corinthians 11:25)
Doth it show forth the painfulness of his death?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: This is my body which is broken, (1 Corinthians 11:24)
And the end of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: This is my blood which is shed for many, for the remission of sins, (Matthew 26:28)
Should we therefore be careful how we attend upon it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Lest we crucify to ourselves the Son of God afresh, (Hebrews 6:6)
Section 6
Is this ordinance a public testimony of our communion with Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? (1 Corinthians 10:16)
And of our love to and fellowship with the saints?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We are all partakers of that one bread, (1 Corinthians 10:17)
Is it designed to promote spiritual joy and thankfulness?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: A feast is made for laughter, (Ecclesiastes 10:19)
And as an earnest of better provisions above?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine till I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom, (Matthew 26:29)
Is it therefore to be a standing ordinance in the church of Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Till he come, (1 Corinthians 11:26)