What Does the New Testament Teach About the Lord’s Supper?
On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus shared one final meal with His disciples. During that meal He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said,
"This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." (Luke 22:19)
He then took the cup and said,
"This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." (Luke 22:20)
With these simple elements, Jesus gave His followers a lasting memorial of His death.
The Lord's Supper was not intended to be an ordinary meal. It was a time for remembering the sacrifice of Christ and proclaiming His death until He comes again (1 Corinthians 11:26).
The book of Acts tells us that the early Christians "continued steadfastly...in the breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42). Later, Luke records that the disciples in Troas came together "on the first day of the week...to break bread" (Acts 20:7). These passages show that remembering the Lord became an important part of the church's life together.
Paul gives the fullest explanation in 1 Corinthians 11. He reminds the Corinthians that the Supper belongs to the Lord, not to us. It is not an opportunity for selfishness or division. Instead, it is a time for self-examination, gratitude, and unity as God's people remember the sacrifice of Christ.
Notice what the New Testament emphasizes.
The focus is not on the ceremony itself.
The focus is on Christ.
The bread reminds us of His body.
The cup reminds us of His blood.
Together they proclaim the gospel in a visible way every time the church shares this memorial.
As in every other study, we begin by observing what the Scriptures actually say. Before asking questions about tradition or later practice, we first ask what Jesus instituted and how the early church remembered Him.
The Lord's Supper is not merely another activity of the assembly. It is one of the clearest reminders of the cross that Jesus left for His people.
Continue Your Study
The New Testament speaks of the church as the body of Christ, the family of God, the kingdom of God, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and the bride of Christ.
Are these different organizations?
Or are they different ways of describing the same people?
In our next course, we'll begin exploring what the Bible actually teaches about the church.
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What Does the New Testament Teach About Music in Worship?
How Does the Bible Interpret Itself?
Building Sound Doctrine
Companion Video
What Does the New Testament Teach About the Lord's Supper?
Read First. Conclude Later.