Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7933 Lord's Supper

7933 Lord's Supper

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7900 The life of the church » 7933 Lord's Supper

The commemoration and remembrance of Jesus Christ's last supper, and all the benefits that result to believers. Other terms have been used subsequently by Christians, including “Communion” and “Eucharist”.

Terms for the Lord's Supper in the NT

Acts 2:42 “breaking of bread” could mean both eating together and also celebrating the Lord's Supper; 1 Corinthians 10:16 The Greek word “koinonia”, here translated “participation”, is traditionally translated “communion”: hence the term “Holy Communion”; 1 Corinthians 11:20 the Lord's Supper; 1 Corinthians 11:24 Underlying “had given thanks” is the Greek “eucharisteo”, from which comes the term “Eucharist”.

Jesus Christ's institution of the Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23-25 pp Matthew 26:26-28 pp Mark 14:22-24 pp Luke 22:17-20

Celebrating the Lord's Supper in the NT

As part of an ordinary meal

1 Corinthians 11:21 The church was not necessarily wrong to include the sacrament in an ordinary meal; this should have been conducted in a charitable way.

On the Lord's day

Acts 20:7 See also John 20:26

The fourfold formula for breaking bread: taking, giving thanks, breaking, giving

Matthew 26:26 pp Mark 14:22 pp Luke 22:19 See also Luke 24:30; John 6:11; 1 Corinthians 11:24

The sharing of the cup

1 Corinthians 11:25 pp Matthew 26:27-28 pp Mark 14:23-24 pp Luke 22:20

Themes connected with the Lord's Supper

The Passover

1 Corinthians 5:7-8 See also John 11:50 Caiaphas' words may have an unintended Passover significance; John 13:1; John 19:14,33,36; Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12

The new covenant

1 Corinthians 11:25 pp Matthew 26:27-28 pp Mark 14:23-24 pp Luke 22:20 The reference to the (new) covenant implies a personal relationship with God and sins forgiven.

Remembrance

1 Corinthians 11:24 pp Luke 22:19

Thanksgiving, fellowship and unity

1 Corinthians 10:16 See also Matthew 26:26-27 pp Mark 14:22-23 pp Luke 22:19; 1 Corinthians 11:20-21

The Lord's return

1 Corinthians 11:26 See also Matthew 26:29 pp Mark 14:25 pp Luke 22:16; 1 Corinthians 16:22; Revelation 22:20

Separation from sin

1 Corinthians 10:21 Paul is referring to feasts in heathen temples. See also 1 Corinthians 11:27-32

A foretaste of heaven

Matthew 26:29 pp Mark 14:25