Introduction
The Lord Jesus Christ has instituted a sacred meal commemorating His atoning death. This meal is known oas teh Sacrament of the Altar, the Lord’s Supper, the Lord’s Table, Communion, the Breaking of Bread. This Sacrament is a great blessing to Christians, because those who partake of it receive much more than mere bread and wine.
The Nature of the Sacrament of the Altar
What is the Sacrament of the Altar?
The Sacrament of the Altar is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under the bread and wine, instituted by Christ Himself, for us Christians to eat and to drink.
Where is this written?
The holy evangelists Matthew, Mark and Luke, together with St. Paul write thus: “Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, ‘Take, eat, this is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; this cup is the New Testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'”
- For whom is the Sacrament of the Altar instituted?
The Sacrament of the Altar is instituted for believers in Jesus who have been sufficiently instructed so that they can receive the Sacrament with blessing.
- What does Jesus give us in the Sacrament under the earthly elements of bread and wine?
Under the earthly elements of bread and wine, Jesus gives us His true body and blood, which He delivered up for us on teh cross for the forgiveness of our sins (real presence).
- How do you know that you receive the true body and blood of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar?
I know that I receive the true bodya nd blood of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar, because- Jesus Himself says of the bread, “This is my body” (Mark 14:22), and of the wine He says, “This is my blood” (Mark 14:24),
- the bible states the the cup is the “communion of the blood of Christ” and the bread is the “communion of the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:16) and
- the Bible states the unworthy comunicants are guilty of not “recognizing hte body of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:29).
- Are the bread and wine merely signs or symbols of the body and blood of Jesus?
No, Jesus does not say that the bread and wine are merely signs or symbols of His body and blood, but that they are His body and blood. (See the Glossary regarding the false teaching known as “representation”.)
- Are the bread and wine changed into the body and blood of Jesus?
No. In the Sacrament the bread and wine are not changed into the body and blood of Christ, but are so intimately united with thtem that he can say that the breada nd wine are His body and blood. (See the Glossary regarding the false teaching known as “transubstantiation”.)
The Benefit of the Sacrament of the Altar
What benefit do we receive from such eating and drinking?
The benefit which we receive from such eating and drinking is shown us 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.
- How is the forgiveness of sins given us in the Sacrament of the Altar?
When Jesus gives us His body and blood in the Sacrament, He thereby brings to us and assures us of the forgiveness which He has won for us by offering up this very body and blood on the cross. (See Question 150.) - How are life and slavation given us in the Sacrament?
In the Sacrament we receive the forgiveness of sins; and where there is forgiveness there is also life and salvation.
- What effect does the Lord’s Supper have on our daily life?
By bringing us the forgiveness of our sins, the Lord’s Supper also- strengthens our faith in Christ our Savior,
- enables us to live a more godly life and
- binds us in closer fellowship with our fellow believers.
- What should we do, then, since the Sacrament of the Altar brings us such great blessings?
Since the Sacrament of the Altar brings us such great blessings, we should thank God for this precious meal and partake of it often.
Bible Example: The early Christians’ use of the Sacrament
- Do those who neglect the Lord’s Supper commit a sin?
Those who neglect the Lord’s Supper sin greatly against- the Lord, whom they slight,
- themselves, whom they deprive of great blessings and
- the believers, whose fellowship they neglect.
- What should urge us to come often to the Lord’s Table?
The Lord’s gracious invitation and promise, as well as our own weakness and need, should urge us to come often to His Table. (See Question 38; see also “Christian Questions and Answers”.)
Conclusion
In Baptism we receive new spiritual life. But the devil still fights against us. To strengthen and encourage us in this battle Jesus has give us also the Sacrament of the Altar. In this Sacarment He gives us His true body and blood (real presence). This Sacrament not only reminds us of our Lord’s death, but also brings us the benefits of that death – the forgiveness of our sins.
Hymn
O Lord, we praise Thee, bless Thee, and adore Thee,
In thanksgiving bow before Thee,
Thou with Thy body and Thy blood didst nourish
Our weak souls that they may flourish. O Lord, have mercy!
May Thy body, Lord, born of Mary,
That our sins and sorrows did carry,
And Thy blood for us plead
In all trial, fear and need:
O Lord, have mercy! (ELH 327:1)
Bible Readings
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In class: