- The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament instituted by Christ in which he gives his true body and blood under bread and wine. According to the Bible, the bread and wine do not just represent the body and blood of Christ, and they are not changed into the body and blood. Rather, the body and blood of Christ are miraculously present in, with, and under the bread and wine, and are received by all communicants.
- The Lord’s Supper, also called the Sacrament of the Altar and Holy Communion, is a means of grace. It conveys the forgiveness of sins in Christ to all who believe through the power of God’s Word. The forgiveness of sins in the Lord’s Supper is the same as that received through Baptism, absolution, and the Word. But it is received in a very personal way as we eat the body and drink the blood of Christ.
- Confessional Lutherans share the Lord’s Supper only with those who are properly instructed and repentant, since we do not want anyone to come upon God’s judgment by receiving communion in an unworthy manner. We also share the Lord’s Supper only with those who are united in the same faith. To receive Christ’s body and blood together with others is a deep expression of Christian fellowship.
- The Lord’s Supper is a treasure for believers. Under normal circumstances it is a regular part of life for communicant members of the church. As we commune often, we are personally reassured that Jesus died for our sins, we are strengthened to live a godly life, and we are built up in our fellowship with other believers.
