Lord’s Supper

Terms for the Lord’s Supper in the NT

Ac 2:42 “breaking of bread” could mean both eating together and also celebrating the Lord’s Supper; 1 Co 10:16 The Greek word “koinonia”, here translated “participation”, is traditionally translated “communion”: hence the term “Holy Communion”; 1 Co 11:20 the Lord’s Supper; 1 Co 11:24 Underlying “had given thanks” is the Greek “eucharisteo”, from which comes the term “Eucharist”.

Jesus Christ’s institution of the Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23–25 ASV

For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me. In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

Celebrating the Lord’s Supper in the NT

As part of an ordinary meal

1 Co 11:21 The church was not necessarily wrong to include the sacrament in an ordinary meal; this should have been conducted in a charitable way.

On the Lord’s day

Acts 20:7 ASV

And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.

See also Jn 20:26

The fourfold formula for breaking bread: taking, giving thanks, breaking, giving

Matthew 26:26 ASV

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

See also Lk 24:30; Jn 6:11; 1 Co 11:24

The sharing of the cup

1 Corinthians 11:25 ASV

In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

Themes connected with the Lord’s Supper

The Passover

1 Corinthians 5:7–8 (ASV)

Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ: wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

See also Jn 13:1; Jn 19:33; Nu 9:12; Ex 12:46; Jn 11:50 Caiaphas’ words may have an unintended Passover significance; Jn 19:14; Jn 19:36

The new covenant

1 Co 11:25 The reference to the (new) covenant implies a personal relationship with God and sins forgiven.

Remembrance

1 Corinthians 11:24 ASV

and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Thanksgiving, fellowship and unity

1 Corinthians 10:16 ASV

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?

See also 1 Co 11:20–21; Mt 26:26–27

The Lord’s return

1 Corinthians 11:26 ASV

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord’s death till he come.

See also Re 22:20; Mt 26:29; 1 Co 16:22

Separation from sin

1 Co 10:21 Paul is referring to feasts in heathen temples.

See also 1 Co 11:27–32

A foretaste of heaven

Matthew 26:29 ASV

But I say unto you, I shall not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.