Lord's Day Questions with proof texts
Link to audio recording of LD 28
Summary (NotebookLM)
This section of Ursinus' commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism begins the section on the Lord's Supper. It defines the Lord's Supper, explains its purpose (including its role in confirming faith, expressing gratitude, and fostering church unity), and compares it to baptism. The commentary further examines the meaning of consuming Christ's body and blood, focusing on its spiritual nature and its significance in establishing a believer's union with Christ. Finally, it analyzes the scriptural basis for the Lord's Supper, interpreting key passages from the Gospels and Paul's epistles.
Content of this chapter:
I. Overview
This document analyzes the Lord's Supper (also called Eucharist, Holy Communion, or the Lord's Table) as explained through the lens of the Heidelberg Catechism. The text addresses fundamental questions about the nature, purpose, and significance of this sacrament within the context of Christian faith. It systematically explains the meaning behind the Lord's Supper, contrasting it with other religious practices, especially the Catholic Mass. The core themes are the commemoration of Christ's sacrifice, the spiritual nourishment of believers, and their union with Christ.
II. Key Questions and Answers
The text is structured around a series of questions, primarily drawing from the Heidelberg Catechism. Here are the key questions and summarized answers:
Question 75: How is it signified and sealed unto you in the Holy Supper that you partake of the one sacrifice of Christ on the cross and all His benefits?
Answer: The Lord’s Supper signifies that Christ’s body was broken and his blood shed for believers, just as the bread is broken and the wine is poured. It also assures that Christ feeds and nourishes believers' souls to everlasting life as surely as they receive the bread and cup. This is not merely a symbolic act but a real spiritual feeding.
Quote: "that His body was offered, and broken on the cross for me, and His blood shed for me, as certainly as I see with my eyes the bread of the Lord broken for me, and the cup communicated to me; and further, that, with His crucified body and shed blood, He Himself feeds and nourishes my soul to everlasting life as certainly as I receive from the hand of the minister, and taste with my mouth, the bread and cup of the Lord, which are given me as certain tokens of the body and blood of Christ."
What is the Lord's Supper?
Answer: It is a sacrament instituted by Christ for believers to partake in by eating bread and drinking wine. This ritual signifies Christ’s sacrifice, the nourishment it provides for eternal life, and his dwelling within the believers. It's not merely a ritual but a means of grace, joining the visible signs (bread and wine) with the invisible reality (Christ's body and blood).
Quote: "the Lord’s supper is the breaking and eating of bread, and drinking of wine according to the command of Christ, given to all believers, that he may by these signs declare that his body was broken, and his blood shed for them; that he gives them these things to eat and drink that they may be fed unto everlasting life; and that he will dwell in them and so nourish and quicken them forever."
What is the Design of the Lord's Supper?
Answer: The Lord's Supper has multiple purposes:
Confirmation of faith: It’s a sure proof of union and communion with Christ.
Public confession: It's an act of public acknowledgement of faith, gratitude, and thankfulness.
Public distinction: It distinguishes the true church from the world.
Bond of love: It demonstrates that all who partake are members of one body under Christ.
Fellowship: It unites believers who assemble for worship.
Quote: "The Lord’s supper was instituted...That it might be a confirmation of our faith, or a most sure proof of our union, and communion with Christ, who feeds us with his body and blood unto everlasting life...That we may by the observance of it make a public confession of our faith, acknowledge our gratitude, and bind ourselves to constant thankfulness...That it might be a public distinction, or badge, by which the true church may be known...That it might be a bond of love, declaring that all who partake of it aright, are made members of one body..."
In what ways does the Lord's Supper differ from Baptism?
Answer: Though both sacraments impart the same blessings (engrafting into Christ, communion with him, salvation), they differ in several ways:
Outward Rites: Baptism involves water immersion; the Lord's Supper uses bread and wine.
Signification: Baptism signifies cleansing from sin; the Lord's Supper signifies partaking of Christ's body and blood.
Design: Baptism signifies regeneration and entrance into the church; the Lord's Supper signifies nourishment and preservation of faith.
Observance: Baptism requires regeneration and is applied to infants and adults, while the Lord’s supper requires self-examination and remembrance and is restricted to those who profess faith.
Order of Observance: Baptism precedes the Lord's Supper.
Frequency of Observance: Baptism is a one-time event; the Lord's Supper is a recurring commemoration of Christ's death.
Quote: "... baptism, and the Lord’s supper impart and seal unto us the same blessings... yet they, nevertheless, manifestly differ in various respects...Baptism is the sign of the covenant between God and the faithful; the Lord’s supper is the sign of the preservation of the same covenant...Baptism precedes the Lord’s supper... The Lord’s supper is to be observed frequently... Baptism, however, is not to be repeated..."
Question 76: What does it mean to eat the crucified body and drink the shed blood of Christ?
Answer: It means not only to embrace Christ’s suffering and death by faith to gain forgiveness and eternal life but also to be increasingly united with Christ through the Holy Spirit. This union with Christ is spiritual, not physical.
Quote: "It means not only to embrace with a believing heart all the suffering and death of Christ, and thereby to obtain the forgiveness of sins and eternal life; but moreover also, to be so united more and more to His sacred body by the Holy Spirit, who dwells both in Christ and in us, that although He is in heaven, and we on the earth, we are nevertheless flesh of His flesh and bone of His bones, and live and are governed for ever by one Spirit..."
Question 77: Where has Christ promised that He will thus feed and nourish believers with His body and blood, as certainly as they eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup?
Answer: Christ promises this in the institution of the Lord’s Supper, as recorded in the Gospels and reiterated by Paul in 1 Corinthians 11.
Quote: "In the institution of the Supper, which says: The Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said: Take, eat, this is My body, which is broken for you; this do in remembrance of Me...The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"
III. Key Themes
Sacramental Union: The Lord’s Supper is not merely symbolic but involves a real spiritual presence and participation in Christ. The visible signs (bread and wine) are linked to the invisible grace of Christ's body and blood by God's promise, and received by faith.
Commemoration and Remembrance: The Supper is instituted as a memorial of Christ’s death and its benefits, involving more than just historical recollection. It includes faith, gratitude, and a public confession of Christ.
Spiritual Nourishment: The Lord's Supper is a means through which Christ feeds believers' souls. This nourishment is received by faith through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Union with Christ: The Supper signifies and seals believers' union with Christ, becoming members of his body and sharing in his life. This is a spiritual, not physical, union.
Distinction from Catholic Mass: The document strongly rejects the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation and the idea of a propitiatory sacrifice in the Mass. It emphasizes that the Lord's Supper is not a re-sacrifice of Christ, but a commemoration of the once-for-all sacrifice on the cross.
Importance of Faith: Faith is essential for properly receiving the benefits of the Lord's Supper. It is not a mere ritual, but a means through which Christ imparts grace to those who believe.
Communal Nature: The Lord's Supper is not intended to be a private act, but a communal practice that unites believers, emphasizing the importance of fellowship and mutual love within the church.
IV. Important Rejections
The text specifically argues against the following:
Private Communion: The text argues against the idea of celebrating the Lord's Supper in private.
Transubstantiation: The Catholic doctrine that the bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of Christ. The text emphasizes a spiritual rather than physical presence.
Consubstantiation: The belief that Christ's body and blood are "in, with, and under" the bread and wine.
The idea of the mass as a propitiatory sacrifice
Denial of the cup to the laity: The text opposes the practice of only giving the bread to the laypeople in communion.
V. Conclusion
The Lord’s Supper, as presented in this text, is a rich and multi-faceted sacrament deeply rooted in the sacrifice of Christ. It is a source of spiritual nourishment, a confirmation of faith, a symbol of union with Christ, and a reminder of the community of believers. It is important to receive it with reverence, faith, and understanding, in contrast to the misunderstanding present in alternative beliefs.
What is the significance of the bread breaking in the Lord's Supper?
The breaking of bread in the Lord's Supper is a significant part of the ceremony with multiple layers of meaning. Here’s a breakdown of its significance:
Signifies the Sufferings of Christ: The breaking of the bread is a key part of the ceremony because it corresponds to the breaking of Christ’s body. Just as the bread is broken, Christ's body was broken on the cross. This action represents the violence of His death and the separation of his soul from his body. The breaking of the bread is not merely for the purpose of distributing it, but also to signify the greatness of Christ’s sufferings.
Communion with Christ: The act of breaking and sharing the bread signifies the communion of many with Christ’s body and their bond of union and mutual love. The broken bread is not just a symbol but a way to experience fellowship with Christ.
Confirmation of Faith: The breaking of the bread is for the confirmation of faith, so that we may know that the body of Christ was broken for us, as certainly as we see the bread broken. Seeing the bread broken is a tangible reminder of Christ's sacrifice. The bread is a sign, and when it is used as such, it exhibits and gives the body of Christ to those who partake and believe the promise.
Rejection of False Doctrines: The emphasis on the literal breaking of bread also serves to reject the doctrines of transubstantiation and consubstantiation. The bread remains bread, and the breaking symbolizes the sacrifice, not a literal transformation of substance.
Necessary Ceremony: The breaking of bread is a necessary ceremony, not just for its symbolism, but also because of Christ's command to "do this". The early church also referred to the whole transaction as "the breaking of bread". It is a key part of the Lord’s Supper and is to be retained in its celebration.
Distribution and Unity: The bread is broken and distributed, showing that many are made one body. It is not for one person alone, but to be shared among many, as the members of one body. This emphasizes the communal aspect of the Lord's Supper.
In summary, the breaking of bread in the Lord's Supper is a multi-faceted symbol. It points to Christ's suffering, facilitates communion with Him and other believers, confirms faith, and rejects false doctrines all while being a necessary and commanded ceremony for the church to practice.
What are the key purposes and interpretations of the Lord's Supper?
The Lord's Supper is a significant sacrament with multiple purposes and interpretations, according to the provided text. Here's a breakdown of its key aspects:
Purposes of the Lord's Supper:
Confirmation of Faith: The Lord's Supper serves as a confirmation of a believer's union and communion with Christ. Partaking in the bread and wine is like receiving the signs from the Lord himself, strengthening faith. This is achieved when believers receive these signs with true faith.
Public Confession and Gratitude: The observance of the Lord's Supper is a public declaration of faith, acknowledging gratitude, and committing to constant thankfulness. The act of remembering Christ is taken as an expression of faith, followed by public confession and thankfulness.
Distinction of the True Church: It acts as a public distinction or badge, identifying the true church from the world. The supper is intended only for those who are disciples of Christ.
Bond of Love and Unity: The Lord's Supper promotes love, signifying that those who partake rightly are members of one body with Christ as the head. Members of the same body are expected to have mutual love for one another.
Fellowship: It unites God's people in close fellowship, as it's meant to be observed in a congregation. The elements should be shared among many, not consumed privately. The supper is a communion and sign of our communion with Christ.
Remembrance of Christ: The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of Christ’s death and benefits, encompassing faith and gratitude. It calls to mind the benefits Christ purchased and the sufferings He endured. This remembrance does not merely consist of meditating on Christ’s history but also remembering the benefits we have received through His death.
Interpretations and Key Concepts:
Signs and Things Signified: The sacrament consists of the outward rite (bread and wine) and the inward reality they signify (Christ’s broken body and shed blood). It also signifies our union with Christ through faith, and how we receive everlasting life from Him. The bread and wine act as certain tokens of the body and blood of Christ.
Spiritual Nourishment: The Lord's Supper is not just a symbolic act but a means through which Christ feeds and nourishes the soul with His crucified body and shed blood, leading to everlasting life. This nourishment is received as assuredly as the bread and wine are received.
Not a Propitiatory Sacrifice: While the Lord's Supper is called a sacrifice by some, it is not a propitiatory or meritorious sacrifice like the Catholic mass, but rather a sacrifice of thanksgiving and a commemoration of Christ’s propitiatory sacrifice.
Union with Christ: The act of eating Christ's body and drinking his blood means being united with Christ through the Holy Spirit. This union is a spiritual one, akin to members of the body with the head, or branches to the vine. It is not a corporal or physical eating of Christ.
Promise of Christ: The Lord's Supper includes a promise from Christ that as certainly as believers eat the broken bread and drink from the cup, He will nourish them with his body and blood. This promise is established in the institution of the supper. The bread is made the sacrament of Christ’s body by this promise and his body is made the thing signified by the sacrament.
Rejection of Transubstantiation: The text rejects the idea of transubstantiation, the belief that the bread and wine literally become the body and blood of Christ. The bread and wine are seen as signs or symbols of Christ’s body and blood, not the literal substances.
Importance of Faith: The efficacy of the Lord's Supper depends on faith. The promises of Christ are received and experienced by those who believe. The sacraments are joined by a sacramental union, but not without faith.
Communion: The supper is a communion that includes spiritual fellowship with Christ. It also signifies the unity of believers as one body, with Christ as the head. This fellowship is achieved through faith and the Holy Spirit, not through corporal eating.
Frequent Observance: The Lord's Supper is meant to be celebrated frequently as a reminder of Christ's death and as a means of faith confirmation. This is because it is a public commemoration of his death.
These points highlight the multifaceted nature of the Lord's Supper, a sacrament with profound spiritual significance.
How does the Lord's Supper differ from baptism?
The Lord's Supper and baptism are both sacraments that impart and seal the same blessings, such as spiritual engrafting into Christ and the benefits of salvation. However, they differ in several key aspects.
Outward Rites: Baptism uses water, involving the plunging of the body into water. The Lord's Supper uses bread, which is broken and eaten, and wine, which is poured out and drunk.
Signification: While both sacraments signify a participation in Christ, baptism signifies the washing away of sin by the blood of Christ. The Lord's Supper signifies the eating and drinking of the body and blood of Christ, representing our union with Him by faith. It also signifies that Christ feeds and nourishes the soul to everlasting life.
Design: Baptism is the sign of the covenant between God and the faithful, marking one's regeneration, connection with the church, and entrance into God's covenant. It is a sign of our reception into the church. The Lord’s Supper, on the other hand, is the sign of the preservation of that covenant. It is a sign of the nourishment and preservation of those already in the church. It is meant to confirm the perpetuity of the covenant.
Requirements: Baptism is administered to all those whom the church regards as regenerated. This includes adults who profess repentance and faith, as well as infants born into the church. The Lord's Supper requires that those who receive it examine their faith, commemorate the Lord’s death, and express their thankfulness. All members of the church, including infants and adults, are to be baptized, but only those capable of self-examination and showing the Lord's death are admitted to the supper.
Order of Observance: Baptism precedes the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper should not be administered to anyone who has not been baptized. In the ancient church, those who were excommunicated, possessed by evil spirits, or still learning the basics of the Christian faith were dismissed before the supper.
Frequency of Observance: Baptism is not repeated because it is a sign of our reception into the church and God's covenant, which remains unchanged. The Lord’s Supper, however, is to be observed frequently, because it is a public commemoration and showing of Christ's death, and we often need our faith confirmed in regard to the perpetuity of the covenant.
In summary, while both sacraments are important, baptism is a one-time event signifying our entrance into the church, and the Lord's Supper is a repeated observance signifying our continued nourishment and communion with Christ.
What are different views of what occurs in the Lord's Supper, its spiritual dimensions and what is transmitted through the elements?
The Lord's Supper is a complex sacrament with various interpretations regarding its spiritual dimensions and what is transmitted through the elements. The sources emphasize a spiritual rather than a physical understanding of what occurs, and this view is contrasted with other perspectives, such as the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation.
Here's a breakdown of the different views presented in the sources:
Spiritual Nourishment and Union with Christ: The primary understanding is that the Lord's Supper is a means through which Christ feeds and nourishes the soul with His crucified body and shed blood, leading to everlasting life. This nourishment is received as assuredly as the bread and wine are received. The act of eating Christ's body and drinking his blood signifies being united with Christ through the Holy Spirit. This is a spiritual union, not a physical one, akin to the relationship between members of a body and its head, or branches and a vine. The Holy Spirit dwells in both Christ and believers, facilitating this union and ensuring we are governed by the same spirit.
Symbolic Representation: The bread and wine are seen as signs or symbols representing Christ's body and blood, not the actual, literal substances. The breaking of the bread signifies the breaking of Christ's body, and the pouring out of the wine signifies the shedding of Christ's blood. These actions, therefore, serve as a symbolic representation of the sacrifice of Christ. The elements serve as "certain tokens of the body and blood of Christ".
Sacramental Union: The sacrament consists of two parts: the outward sign (bread and wine) and the inward reality or thing signified (Christ's body and blood and our union with Him). The sources explain that these two parts are joined in the sacrament by a sacramental union, which is not a physical or local union, but one based on the promise of Christ and requiring faith. This means that the body and blood of Christ are not literally in or under the bread and wine. Instead, they are present in the promise that accompanies the sacrament.
Rejection of Transubstantiation: The sources explicitly reject the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, which teaches that the bread and wine are literally transformed into the body and blood of Christ. The sources emphasize that Christ called the bread his body, using a figure of speech, to mean that it is a sign of his body. This rejection is also supported by the fact that the bread is broken, signifying Christ’s broken body, not a literal transformation of the bread. The bread and wine remain bread and wine and do not become the body and blood of Christ.
Communion through Faith: The communion with Christ is made through faith, by which we become partakers of Christ and all His benefits by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit dwells in both Christ and believers, and by the spirit believers receive the same benefits as Christ, or as the members have communion with the head of a body. This spiritual fellowship is central to the Lord's Supper.
Promise and Faith: The efficacy of the Lord's Supper is connected to the promise of Christ and the faith of the believer. The bread and wine, together with the promise, assure believers that they are truly eating Christ's flesh and drinking his blood in a spiritual way, leading to eternal life.
Remembrance and Gratitude: The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance of Christ, his death, and the benefits he has purchased for believers, encompassing faith and gratitude. It is a call to mind the benefits of Christ and to give thanks for them. This remembrance goes beyond a historical meditation, and is an acknowledgment of what the death of Christ means to the believer.
In summary, the sources present a view of the Lord's Supper as a spiritual communion with Christ, where believers receive nourishment through faith and are united with Christ through the Holy Spirit. The elements of bread and wine are signs and symbols that represent Christ's body and blood and are a means of experiencing and confirming His promise to believers.