Rightly administering the Lord’s Supper is one of the traits of a biblical church. Along with baptism, the Lord’s Supper is an ordinance instituted by Christ to be observed when the church gathers. The Lord’s Supper is also commonly referred to as “Communion” or “the Lord’s Table.” Below we’ll consider various aspects of this new covenant meal.1
The Institution of the Lord’s Supper
On the night he was betrayed, Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples. This meal, which originally commemorated Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, would begin to take on even greater significance. Jesus, the true and final Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), was getting ready to be sacrificed for the sins of God’s people.
Three of the Gospels record Christ’s institution of the meal that we now refer to as the Lord’s Supper.2 The early church observed this meal3 and it has continued to be observed by Christians throughout history.
The Meaning and Significance of the Lord’s Supper
According to the Word of God, the Lord’s Supper includes two elements: the bread and the cup. The breaking of the bread represents the offering of Christ’s body, which was “broken” for his people when he was crucified (Mark 14:22). The cup represents Christ’s blood, which was poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:28). Christ’s death sealed the long-promised new covenant (Luke 22:20; Jeremiah 31–34).
Remembering and Communing with Jesus
Jesus instructed his disciples to take the Lord’s Supper in “remembrance” of him (1 Corinthians 11:24–25). The bread and the cup are tangible reminders of what Christ accomplished for the salvation of his people. To be clear, the elements do not have supernatural power in and of themselves, nor are they transformed into the actual body and blood of Jesus.4 Yet, as believers partake of the elements by faith, Christ is present with them by his Spirit.
Renewing our Commitment
Just as baptism is the ordinance that signals our entrance into the church,, so the Lord’s Supper signals our ongoing membership in this new covenant community. Every time we partake of the elements together, we are renewing and affirming our covenant commitment to Christ and his people.
Uniting the Body
The Lord’s Supper is intended to reflect the church’s unity in Christ. This explains why the apostle Paul sharply rebuked believers in Corinth who did not consider the good of others when they came together to partake of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:17–22). This meal was intended to unite the body of Christ around a common Savior.
Proclaiming Christ’s Death Until He Comes
The Lord’s Supper is not only about remembering what Christ accomplished in the past or enjoying the fellowship we have with him in the present: it also points us to his return in the future. As we partake of the bread and the cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death “until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). This meal is an anticipation of the heavenly banquet we will enjoy with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6–9).
The Right Way to Participate in the Lord’s Supper
Finally, we need to answer some practical questions related to taking the Lord’s Supper.
Who Should Participate?
Only those who have put their faith in the Son of God should partake of the Lord’s Supper. Since the bread and the cup symbolize Christ’s death, it makes sense that those who partake would be trusting in Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and eternal life. This new covenant meal is reserved for members of the new covenant, i.e., those who belong to Christ by faith and are indwelt by his Spirit (Ezekiel 36:25–27).
Scripture warns believers not to take the Lord’s Supper in an “unworthy manner” but rather to examine themselves before participating (1 Corinthians 11:27–32). This doesn’t mean we must be sinless, or else no one could participate! Yet, we should not participate while willfully refusing to repent of known sin. Treating Christ’s death lightly is an offense to the Lord and may provoke his discipline.5
How Often Should It Be Celebrated?
Scripture does not give a specific answer as to how often a local church should observe this meal. However, given its significance, the Lord’s Supper should be a regular and significant part of the church’s worship.6
Where Should It Be Celebrated?
The Lord’s Supper is not a private meal, nor is it a meal for random groups of Christians to partake of wherever and whenever they choose. As a church ordinance, this meal is reserved for the gathering of the church (1 Corinthians 11:17–33). As a visible and tangible reminder of Christ’s death, the Lord’s Supper should be tied closely to the verbal articulation of the gospel.
- Some of the aspects of the Lord’s Supper covered in this article were prompted by David Platt, 12 Traits: Embracing God’s Design for the Church, 90–95. ↵
- Matthew 26:26–29; Mark 14:22–25; Luke 22:14–20. ↵
- Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 11:17–33. ↵
- The Roman Catholic Church teaches that the bread and the cup literally turn into the body and blood of Christ. This teaching is known as transubstantiation and has historically been rejected by Protestants as unbiblical. ↵
- According to 1 Corinthians 11:29–30, a failure to take the Lord’s Supper in a worthy manner had resulted in weakness, illness, and even death for some members of the church. ↵
- Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:17–33. ↵
David Platt serves as a pastor in metro Washington, D.C. He is the founder of Radical.
David received his Ph.D. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is the author of Don’t Hold Back, Radical, Follow Me, Counter Culture, Something Needs to Change, Before You Vote, as well as the multiple volumes of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series.
Along with his wife and children, he lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area.
