Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

2. We also worship God when we eat together at the Lord’s table, (called the Lord’s Supper or the eucharist). The New Testament sources of our knowledge of the institution of the eucharist are fourfold, a brief account thereof being found in each of the Synoptic Gospels and in Paul’s First Epistle to the Corinthians (Matt. 26.26-29; Mark 14.22-25; Luke 22.14-20, and 1 Cor. 11.23-26). a. The Lord’s Supper is also called the “eucharist,” which is derived from the Latin term eucharisteosas (“to give or gave thanks”). This term was the most widely used term in the early Church, and was applied to the whole service, as well as to the consecration of the bread and wine or to the consecrated elements themselves. b. The heart of the Lord’s Supper is patterned on Christ’s celebration of the Passover. At the close of the paschal supper, Jesus took the bread and cup, and “gave thanks” over them, as a thank offering to God. (1) He broke the bread, and distributed the cup among the disciples, asking them to “Take, eat,” and “Drink all of it,” respectively. (2) Jesus declared of the bread, “This is my body given for you,” and of the cup, “This is my blood of the covenant,” or, “This is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you,” “unto remission of sins.”

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(3) Jesus then gives the purpose of this celebration: to do this in remembrance (in memorial) of him.

c. As we gather and eat the Lord’s Supper, we remember what he accomplished on the cross, and receive his grace and peace as we serve him joyfully and look forward to his soon return.