Basic Series: Communion

Head- What does it mean?

Question 7. What is a proper view of the Lord’s Supper? Is it a sacrament? Why should we participate?

Matthew 7:13-29

Answer: The Lord’s Supper is a supernatural intake of the flesh and blood of Christ through the provision of bread and wine, first provided and instructed by Christ in and . Since it is a visible form of an invisible grace, in that when we participate, we are given clarity as to what salvation is and are spiritually nourished by its provision, the Lord’s Supper is certainly a sacrament. Read:

Romans 6:1-14

Observations:

Christ does say to partake in the Lord’s Supper in memory of Him ().

Paul does indicate that the Lord’s Supper was more than a one-time action between Jesus and His disciples.

Followers of Christ are the ones partaking in the Lord’s Supper.

If anyone asks:

What’s a sacrament?

SACRAMENT Religious rite or ceremony regarded as an outward sign of an inward, spiritual grace. The rite or ceremony was instituted by Jesus Christ. The Latin term sacramentum means an “oath of allegiance” and may have originally referred to a vow taken by soldiers entering the Roman army. Christian use apparently began with Tertullian and was the Latin translation of the Greek word “mystery” (; ; ).

The number of sacraments has varied in Christianity. Early Christians used the term to designate baptism. Later, this concept was extended to include the Lord’s Supper. The Roman Catholic Church practices seven sacraments: confirmation, penance, ordination, marriage, last rites, baptism, and the Eucharist. Protestant churches recognize only two: baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

The exact meaning of sacrament has varied in Christian history. Roman Catholic theology taught that the sacraments actually convey what they represent, saving grace. In Lutheran theology the promise of the word of God is conveyed through the sacraments. Reformed theologians underscore the significance of the sacraments in terms of “signs and seals” of the covenant. In all these confessional traditions, the ritual is connected with the spiritual truth and reality conveyed through the act.

Norman, S. (2003). Sacrament. In C. Brand, C. Draper, A. England, S. Bond, E. R. Clendenen, & T. C. Butler (Eds.), Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (p. 1428). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Heart- Do I buy it?

Does Francis Chan’s interpretation of Communion line up with Scripture?

Arguably, yes. Scripture does not speak to how often the Lord’s Supper should be conducted or where it should be conducted.

Hands- So What? How then should I live?

Walk with God

Keep Christ first

Keep sin out of your life