Lord's Supper

Jesus instituted this celebration at His last supper. Luke 22:19-20 says, “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.” See also 1 Corinthians 10:16 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-28.

Since many of us formerly came from churches and denominations outside the PCA, you may be asked this question during the membership interview process, “What is the Lord’s supper and how do you understand it?

There are four common views and practices of the Lord’s supper: Roman Catholic (transubstantiation), Lutheran (consubstantiation), Zwinglian (it’s a memorial only), and Calvinist (it’s both a memorial and Jesus IS spiritually present). Presbyterian, many Baptist, Bible Fellowship, Evangelical Free churches as well as those who identify themselves as non-denominational understand the Lord’s supper as both a memorial (remembrance) of Jesus’ death and a celebration in His spiritual presence with us. As Pastor Mark often says, “We don’t receive a special Jesus, but we receive Jesus in a special, visible way” as we use our “senses” to remember His broken body, shed blood and death – we taste and see that the Lord is good.

We invite members of other Gospel-believing churches to participate with us in the Lord's supper. Additionally, this means of grace is open to members regardless of age who have been examined by our Session as being fully able to understand what each element signifies and seals. These are some of the blessings of sharing the sacraments of baptism and the Lord’s supper.