Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 168

What is the Lord’s supper?

The Lord’s supper is a sacrament of the New Testament,a 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;b have their union and communion with him confirmed;c testify and renew their thankfulness,d and engagement to God,e and their mutual love and fellowship each with other, as members of the same mystical body.f

What is the Lord’s supper?

The Lord’s supper is a sacrament of the New Testament,a 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;b have their union and communion with him confirmed;c testify and renew their thankfulness,d and engagement to God,e and their mutual love and fellowship each with other, as members of the same mystical body.f

  1. a. Luke 22:20

    Luke 22:20

    22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

    22:20 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Matthew 26:26–28; 1 Corinthians 11:23–26

    Matthew 26:26–28

    26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. 26:27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

    26:26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is My body." 26:27 Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 26:28 This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

    1 Corinthians 11:23–26

    11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 11:24 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. 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

    11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night He was betrayed, took bread, 11:24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 11:25 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 11:26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. 1 Corinthians 10:16

    1 Corinthians 10:16

    10:16 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?

    10:16 Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. 1 Corinthians 11:24

    1 Corinthians 11:24

    11:24 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.

    11:24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. 1 Corinthians 10:14–16, 21

    1 Corinthians 10:14–16; 1 Corinthians 10:21

    10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. 10:15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 10:16 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? 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

    10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 10:15 I speak to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say. 10:16 Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  6. f. 1 Corinthians 10:17

    1 Corinthians 10:17

    10:17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

    10:17 Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (2)

The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

Question 102

What is the Lord’s supper?

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.

Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

Question 96

What is the Lord’s Supper?

The Lord’s Supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is showed 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.

Commentaries (9)