The Institution of the Lord's Supper
The Lord's Supper, also known as Holy Communion or the Eucharist, stands as one of the most sacred ordinances given to the church by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Instituted on the night He was betrayed, during His final Passover meal with His disciples, this act serves as a perpetual reminder of His sacrificial death on the cross and His glorious resurrection. The accounts of its institution are found in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26:26-28, Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:19-20) and most notably elaborated upon by the Apostle Paul in his first epistle to the Corinthians. Paul emphasizes its divine origin, stating, "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:" (1 Corinthians 11:23). This command to "do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19) has been faithfully observed by believers throughout church history. However, despite its universal observance, the precise nature of Christ's presence in the elements and the spiritual efficacy of the Supper have been subjects of significant theological debate, leading to various interpretations among Christian denominations.
Transubstantiation: A Literal Transformation
The Roman Catholic Church holds the doctrine of Transubstantiation, a view deeply rooted in its theological tradition. According to this doctrine, during the consecration by an ordained priest, the bread and wine used in the Supper undergo a miraculous change in substance, though their outward appearances (accidents) remain the same. The bread truly becomes the actual body of Christ, and the wine truly becomes His actual blood. This belief is grounded in a very literal interpretation of Jesus' words, "This is my body" and "This is my blood," and also in the discourse found in John 6.
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
From this perspective, the Eucharist is not merely a symbol or a remembrance, but a re-presentation of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, making Him truly and physically present. Believers are said to partake of the literal body and blood of Christ, receiving grace and spiritual nourishment through this physical consumption. Protestant theology, particularly that which adheres to the KJV, generally rejects Transubstantiation, arguing that it contradicts sensory evidence, elevates human ritual over divine grace, and misinterprets the spiritual nature of Christ's words, which often employed metaphorical language.
Consubstantiation: Real Presence "In, With, and Under"
Emerging from the Protestant Reformation, particularly championed by Martin Luther, the doctrine of Consubstantiation offers an alternative understanding of Christ's presence in the Lord's Supper. Unlike Transubstantiation, Consubstantiation asserts that the substance of the bread and wine remains unchanged; they do not transform into the body and blood of Christ. Instead, Christ's body and blood are truly and really present "in, with, and under" the elements. It's often likened to a hot iron: the iron is still iron, and the heat is still heat, but they are present together.
Lutherans emphasize the literal interpretation of Jesus' words, "This is my body," but without necessitating a change in the physical properties of the elements. They believe that Christ's glorified body and blood are supernaturally present alongside the bread and wine, not replacing them. This view maintains a strong emphasis on the real presence of Christ, providing spiritual benefits to the communicant, irrespective of their faith. While distinct from the Roman Catholic view, Consubstantiation still affirms a tangible, albeit unique, manner of Christ's presence in the elements themselves, distinguishing it from purely symbolic interpretations.
Memorialism: A Symbolic Remembrance
At the opposite end of the spectrum from Transubstantiation lies Memorialism, a view most famously advocated by Huldrych Zwingli and widely adopted by many Baptist, non-denominational, and other evangelical churches. This perspective holds that the Lord's Supper is purely symbolic, serving as a powerful visual aid and a solemn act of remembrance. The bread and wine are seen as mere symbols, representing Christ's broken body and shed blood, but containing no intrinsic presence of Christ, whether physical or spiritual.
The primary scriptural emphasis for Memorialism comes from Jesus' command, "This do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25). Proponents of this view argue that Christ's physical body is now at the right hand of God in heaven, and therefore cannot be physically present on earth in multiple locations simultaneously. The efficacy of the Supper, in this view, lies not in the elements themselves, but in the heart and faith of the participant. It is an act of obedience, a public proclamation of faith, and a personal recollection of Christ's sacrifice, fostering gratitude and renewed commitment. The focus is entirely on the believer's act of remembering and proclaiming Christ's death until His return.
Spiritual Presence: Christ Present by the Spirit
The Reformed tradition, largely influenced by John Calvin, offers a nuanced understanding often termed the "Spiritual Presence" view. This perspective seeks to bridge the gap between the purely symbolic Memorialism and the more literal real presence views. Reformed theology asserts that Christ is indeed truly and really present in the Lord's Supper, but not physically or locally in the elements themselves, nor merely alongside them. Instead, Christ is present spiritually, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to the hearts of believers who partake in faith.
The elements of bread and wine are seen as "means of grace," not containing Christ's body and blood, but effectively conveying the benefits of His sacrifice to the faithful. As believers partake, the Holy Spirit lifts them up, in a mystical sense, to commune with the glorified Christ in heaven. It is a spiritual feeding upon Christ, strengthening faith, providing spiritual nourishment, and deepening communion with Him. This view emphasizes both the remembrance aspect ("do this in remembrance of me") and the communion aspect ("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?" 1 Corinthians 10:16), asserting a genuine, albeit spiritual, encounter with the risen Lord for those who believe.
A Unified Biblical Understanding and Importance
While the theological differences regarding the Lord's Supper are significant and have historically led to considerable debate, it is crucial for believers to grasp the fundamental truths upon which all Biblically sound interpretations agree. Regardless of the specific view on Christ's presence, several core purposes and benefits of the Lord's Supper remain constant, as illuminated by the KJV Scriptures:
- Remembrance of Christ's Sacrifice: The Supper is first and foremost a powerful memorial of Christ's broken body and shed blood, given for the remission of sins. It calls us to reflect on the immense cost of our redemption and the depth of God's love (John 3:16).
- Proclamation of His Death: As Paul states, "For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come" (1 Corinthians 11:26). It is a public testimony of our faith in Christ's atoning work and a declaration of His future return.
- Communion and Fellowship: The Supper fosters deep communion, not only with Christ Himself but also among believers. Sharing in this sacred meal signifies our unity in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:17).
- Self-Examination and Repentance: The Apostle Paul sternly warns against partaking "unworthily" and calls for diligent self-examination before approaching the table.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
This self-examination ensures that we approach with reverence, humility, and a clear conscience, confessing any known sin. The Lord's Supper is a solemn act of worship, a moment of profound spiritual renewal, and a foretaste of the heavenly feast to come. While Christians may hold differing nuanced views on the precise mechanism of Christ's presence, all should unite in recognizing its divine institution, its profound significance, and its call to sincere faith, obedience, and joyful anticipation of our Lord's return.