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.a
- aMatthew 26:26-28; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 10:16
Beddome's Scriptural Exposition 26 questions answered from Scripture
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Is the Lord’s supper of divine appointment? Yes.
“It was received of the Lord” 1 Corinthians 11:23
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Did Christ institute it a little before his death? Yes.
“The same night wherein he was betrayed” 1 Corinthians 11:23
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And doth this add force to the command? Yes.
“Thy Father did command before he died” Genesis 50:16
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Are all true Christians invited hereto? Yes.
“Come, for all things are now ready” Luke 14:17
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And shall they be welcome if they come? Yes.
“Eat, 0 friends, drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved” Song of Solomon 5:1
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Is bread to be used in this ordinance? Yes.
“For he took bread” Matthew 26:26
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And wine? Yes.
“He took the cup when he had supped” 1 Corinthians 11:25
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Are bread and wine significative of all the necessaries of life? Yes.
“Eat thy bread with joy and drink thy wine with a merry heart” Ecclesiastes 9:7
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And do they herein aptly represent Christ? Yes.
“For it hath pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell” Colossians 1:19
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Must the elements be blessed? Yes.
“The cup of blessing which we bless” 1 Corinthians 10:16
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And when blessed be given and received? Yes.
“Jesus took bread and gave it to them, he also took the cup and gave it to them” Mark 14:22–23
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And may all partake of the latter as well as the former? Yes.
“Drink ye all of it” Matthew 26:27
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Doth the bread signify the body of Christ? Yes.
“This is my body” 1 Corinthians 11:24
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Doth the wine signify the blood of Christ? Yes.
“This cup is the new testament in my blood” Luke 22:20
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Is the doctrine then of Christ crucified, meat and drink to a believing soul? Yes.
“My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed” John 6:55
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And are we to feed upon that doctrine? Yes.
“He that eateth me, even he shall live by me” John 6:57
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Is this a commemorative ordinance? Yes.
“Do this in remembrance of me” 1 Corinthians 11:24
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Doth it show forth the death of Christ? Yes.
“As oft as ye eat of this bread and drink of this cup, ye do show forth the Lord’s death” 1 Corinthians 11:25
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Doth it show forth the painfulness of his death? Yes.
“This is my body which is broken” 1 Corinthians 11:24
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And the end of it? Yes.
“This is my blood which is shed for many, for the remission of sins” Matthew 26:28
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Should we therefore be careful how we attend upon it? Yes.
“Lest we crucify to ourselves the Son of God afresh” Hebrews 6:6
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Is this ordinance a public testimony of our communion with Christ? Yes.
“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?” 1 Corinthians 10:16
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And of our love to and fellowship with the saints? Yes.
“We are all partakers of that one bread” 1 Corinthians 10:17
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Is it designed to promote spiritual joy and thankfulness? Yes.
“A feast is made for laughter” Ecclesiastes 10:19
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And as an earnest of better provisions above? Yes.
“I will not drink henceforth of the fruit of the vine till I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” Matthew 26:29
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Is it therefore to be a standing ordinance in the church of Christ? Yes.
“Till he come” 1 Corinthians 11:26
Benjamin Beddome (1717–1795), pastor at Bourton-on-the-Water. Verses from the King James Version.
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