| Question | What is the Lord’s supper? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The Lord’s supper is an ordinance of the New Testament, instituted by Jesus Christ; wherein by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to his appointment, his death is shown forth, and the worthy receivers are, not after a corporal and carnal manner, but by faith, made partakers of his body and blood, with all his benefits, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace. 1 |
The Baptist Catechism Set to Music
Benjamin Beddome’s Exposition
Is the Lord’s supper of divine appointment?
Yes.
It was received of the Lord,
1 Corinthians 11:23
Did Christ institute it a little before his death?
Yes.
The same night wherein he was betrayed,
1 Corinthians 11:23
And doth this add force to the command?
Yes.
Thy Father did command before he died,
Genesis 50:16
Are all true Christians invited hereto?
Yes.
Come, for all things are now ready,
Luke 14:17
And shall they be welcome if they come?
Yes.
Eat, 0 friends, drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved,
Song of Solomon 5:1
Is bread to be used in this ordinance?
Yes.
For he took bread,
Matthew 26:26
And wine?
Yes.
He took the cup when he had supped,
1 Corinthians 11:25
Are bread and wine significative of all the necessaries of life?
Yes.
Eat thy bread with joy and drink thy wine with a merry heart,
Ecclesiastes 9:7
And do they herein aptly represent Christ?
Yes.
For it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell,
Colossians 1:19
Must the elements be blessed?
Yes.
The cup of blessing which we bless,
1 Corinthians 10:16
And when blessed be given and received?
Yes.
Jesus took bread and gave it to them, he also took the cup and gave it to them,
Mark 14:22–23
And may all partake of the latter as well as the former?
Yes.
Drink ye all of it,
Matthew 26:27
Doth the bread signify the body of Christ?
Yes.
This is my body,
1 Corinthians 11:24
Doth the wine signify the blood of Christ?
Yes.
This cup is the new testament in my blood,
Luke 22:20
Is the doctrine then of Christ crucified, meat and drink to a believing soul?
Yes.
My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed,
John 6:55
And are we to feed upon that doctrine?
Yes.
He that eateth me, even he shall live by me,
John 6:57
Is this a commemorative ordinance?
Yes.
Do this in remembrance of me,
1 Corinthians 11:24
Doth it show forth the death of Christ?
Yes.
As oft as ye eat of this bread and drink of this cup, ye do show forth the Lord’s death,
1 Corinthians 11:25
Doth it show forth the painfulness of his death?
Yes.
This is my body which is broken,
1 Corinthians 11:24
And the end of it?
Yes.
This is my blood which is shed for many, for the remission of sins,
Matthew 26:28
Should we therefore be careful how we attend upon it?
Yes.
Lest we crucify to ourselves the Son of God afresh,
Hebrews 6:6
Is this ordinance a public testimony of our communion with Christ?
Yes.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16
And of our love to and fellowship with the saints?
Yes.
We are all partakers of that one bread,
1 Corinthians 10:17
Is it designed to promote spiritual joy and thankfulness?
Yes.
A feast is made for laughter,
Ecclesiastes 10:19
And as an earnest of better provisions above?
Yes.
I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine till I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom,
Matthew 26:29
Is it therefore to be a standing ordinance in the church of Christ?
Yes.
Till he come,
1 Corinthians 11:26
The Westminster Larger Catechism
| Question | What is the Lord's supper? |
|---|---|
| Answer | The Lord's supper is a sacrament of the New Testament, 1 wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, his death is showed forth; and they that worthily communicate feed upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace; 2 have their union and communion with him confirmed; 3 testify and renew their thankfulness, 4 and engagement to God, 5 and their mutual love and fellowship each with other, as members of the same mystical body. 6 |
| Question | How hath Christ appointed bread and wine to be given and received in the sacrament of the Lord's supper? |
|---|---|
| Answer | Christ hath appointed the ministers of his word, in the administration of this sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to set apart the bread and wine from common use, by the word of institution, thanksgiving, and prayer; to take and break the bread, and to give both the bread and the wine to the communicants: who are, by the same appointment, to take and eat the bread, and to drink the wine, in thankful remembrance that the body of Christ was broken and given, and his blood shed, for them. 1 |