Online Bible Study - Foundations of Faith

The Lord's Supper

Forgiveness of Sins
We have read in the Bible that the Lord's Supper gives the forgiveness of sins that Christ purchased on the Cross. On the basis of that, is this Holy Communion merely an opportunity to remember Christ's death? Is it just a memorial feast? No, the Lord's Supper is not just a memorial, it is much more. Indeed Jesus said, "This do in remembrance of Me," and "in remembrance of Me." However, it is important to remember that this passage continues to say, "for the remission of sins." We have this sacrament not to just remember Jesus, but to receive Him. That is, to receive God's blessing of forgiveness.

By celebrating this sacrament often, receiving the remission of sins and remembering the Lord's great sacrifice frequently through this spiritual meal, we "show the Lord's death till He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26a). As we noted previously, 1 Corinthians 11:27 goes on to say, "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord." Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is not just a casual meal. Rather, it is the Holy Supper that Christ prepared for us for the "remission of sins" (Luke 22:20).

Bread and Wine, or Body and Blood?
There is another question that often enters into the mind of some people. That is, does the bread and the wine actually changed into the body and blood of Jesus?

The apostle Paul answers this in I Corinthians 11:26-28, "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of that bread and drink of that cup."

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