Practical ReligionChapter 6: The Lord’s Supper

J. C. Ryle

Some Background

On no point have there been so many disputes, strifes, and controversies for almost 1800 2000 years.

On this point many martyrs died, including John Rogers (1555), John Hooper (1555), Rowland Taylor (1555), Robert Ferrar (1555), John Bradford (1555), Nicholas Ridley (1555), Hugh Latimer (1555), John Philpot (1555), and Thomas Cranmer (1556)

Why is background on the Lord’s Supper important?

The deaths of Ridley and Latimer

The Early Church

And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced.

Second Century (150 A.D.) - Justin Martyr (born c. 114, martyred c. 165)

And this food is called among us the Eucharist, of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined.

The Roman Catholic ViewThe purpose of the Lord’s Supper was an actual atoning sacrifice of Christ (from about 800 AD)

Hence, the actual, physical, body and blood of Jesus were present in the bread and wine (from about 1000)

Only the priest was permitted to take the cup of the sacrament (from about 400)

The sacraments do confer grace ex opere operato (by 1100's)

The Reformation Views

Wyclif (late-1300's) and Hus (early 1400's) opposed transubstantiation and reserving the cup – both were burned at the stake

Luther (1500's) affirmed the “real presence” of Christ's body “in, with, and under” the bread.

This was the point on which he and Calvin could not agree

The Reformation Views

All are equally invited to partake – there is no purpose to being invited if they will come away empty

Ryle agrees with Calvin, that when Christ says “Take and eat” we are not instructed to perform a sacrifice.

Calvin says that the use of the term “my body” is a metonymy (giving something the name of the thing it symbolizes).

The Reformation ViewsCalvin says the nature of the sacraments indicates that the sign must correspond to the spiritual reality. Hence, the body, given in the Supper, must be a food. If it were not so, the Supper would make no sense.

In essence, he says, it can not be the actual flesh, which is in heaven, and can not be in other places at the same time. Thus it is a secret and wonderful work of the Holy Spirit, by which the body of Christ is given to us as a spiritual supper.

Why Was the Supper Ordained?

1689: to be observed for the perpetual remembrance, and display, of Jesus' sacrifice of Himself in His death. Confirms the faith of believers in all the benefits of His death, their spiritual nourishment and growth in Him, and their further engagement in and to all the duties they owe him. A bond and pledge of the communion of believers with Christ and each other.

us up in Christ. It is a visible sermon. If we were spirit we would not need a sacrament, but we are human, and a visible sign strengthens our faith.

- Thomas Watson

The sacrament is for the confirming of the faith, and builds

Why Was the Supper Ordained?

‘for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ his life, death, and resurrection, and of the benefits which we receive thereby, until his coming again.’

(with revisions from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979)

In the Book of Common Prayer’s Catechism: “for the continual remembrance of the sacrifice of the death of Christ, and of the benefits we receive thereby.” - BCP 1789

Why Was the Supper Ordained?

Of the four accounts of the Lord's Supper (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Paul – in 1 Cor.), only two give the reason: “Do this in remembrance of me.”

The continual (perpetual) remembrance of Christ's death is the reason.

Without the sacrificial death, His life would have been in vain. It is the very thing of which we need to be reminded.

Is there any basis for saying the Supper is a sacrifice? No. “It never entered into their minds that he meant to say he was holding his own body and his own blood in his hands, and literally giving them his literal body and blood to eat and drink.”

Why Was the Supper Ordained?

Is there any basis for the belief that the real body and blood are present in the bread and wine? No. “… the natural body and blood of Christ are in heaven, and not here.”

“The Bible teaches that Christ’s vicarious death on the cross was the one perfect sacrifice for sin, which never needs to be repeated.” Therefore, seeing the Supper as an actual, atoning, sacrifice denies the sufficiency of the sacrifice on the cross.

Is there any basis for saying the Supper is a sacrifice? No. “It never entered into their minds that he meant to say he was holding his own body and his own blood in his hands, and literally giving them his literal body and blood to eat and drink.

Who Ought to Be Communicants?

Not simply all baptized persons

If all are to come, many come in ignorance, and the sacraments do not work in themselves (ex opere operando)

Examining ourselves requires some understanding as well as faith

Those living in open sin and determined not to give it up should not participate – eating unworthily can lead to condemnation

God ‘commands all men everywhere to repent’ and believe the gospel but he does not in the same way, or in the same manner command everybody to come to the Lord’s table.

Who Ought to Be Communicants?

Those who believe they are “good enough” – that is, are saved because of their own value – should not come to the table. Their attitude is incompatible with a profession of Christ's merit and His righteousness.

“The command of self-examination evidences to us … that a Christian may come to the knowledge of his state in grace; otherwise it would be wholly fruitless to examine ourselves. If we may know by the want of saving conditions that we are in a state of nature; we may know by the presence of them, that we are in a state of grace.” Stephen Charnock

Who Should Come?1789 BCP: Question. What is required of those who come to the Lord's Supper?

Answer. To examine themselves, whether they repent them truly of their former sins, steadfastly purposing to lead a new life; have a lively faith in God's mercy through Christ, with a thankful remembrance of his death; and be in charity with all men.

1979 BCP: Q. What is required of us when we come to the Eucharist?

A. It is required that we should examine our lives, repent of our sins, and be in love and charity with all people.

Though our repentance may be imperfect, or our faith weak, and our charity defective, if they are genuine, we should come! The first 12 communicants were weak indeed, but 11 of them were real, genuine, sincere and true.

What Benefit May We Expect?

Some believe the Supper will cleanse them of their sins

“The Lord’s supper was meant to increase and help the grace that a man has, but not to impart the grace that he has not.”

1689 LRBC: remembrance, spiritual nourishment, growth in Christ, engagement in and to all duties owed to him, and a bond and pledge of communion with him and each other.

Many believe taking the Supper must do them some good. Ifthere is any principle clearly laid down in the Bible about any act of religious worship, it is this,— that it must be intelligent. The worshipper must at least understand something about what he is doing. Mere bodily worship, unaccompanied by mind or heart, is utterly worthless.

What Benefit May We Expect?The Supper humbles us, as we consider how sinful sin must be if nothing less than the death of God's own son could make satisfaction for it or redeem us from its guilt

The Supper encourages us (has a cheering effect) as we consider that our salvation is full, perfect and complete.

The Supper has a sanctifying effect, in reminding us of our debt of gratitude to the Lord, binding us to live for Him.

The Supper has a restraining effect as the remembrance encourages glorifying Christ, helping to resist temptation and sin.

Every Christian may not realize all of these benefits whenever the Supper is taken, but every Christian will benefit from some of them every time.

Why Do Many Not Come?

It is not left to our discretion to come to the table

Many do not come to the table because they are careless about Christianity

Some are in habitual sin or habitual neglect of a Christian duty. If they do not turn from the sin, they are as much disqualified from heaven as from the table.

Every Christian may not realize all of these benefits whenever the Supper is taken, but every Christian will benefit from some of them every time.

Why Do Many Not Come?

Some don't want the responsibility of living the faith, lest they fall away.

Some feel they are not yet worthy.

Some object to participating in the Supper because they see others who are unworthy participating.

Every Christian may not realize all of these benefits whenever the Supper is taken, but every Christian will benefit from some of them every time.

WarningsDo not neglect the Lord's Supper

Do not receive the Lord's Supper carelessly, irreverently, or as a matter of form

Do not make an idol of the Lord's Supper

To repent and be converted, to believe and be holy, to be born again and have grace in our hearts,— all these things are of far more importance than to be a communicant. Without them we cannot be saved. Without the Lord’s supper we can.

The penitent thief was not a communicant, and Judas Iscariot was!

Warnings

Do not attend the Lord's Supper irregularly

Never be absent when the Lord's Supper is administered

Make every effort to attend

Do not do anything to bring discredit on your profession as a communicant

The man who after attending the Lord’s table runs into sin, does more harm perhaps than any sinner. He is a walking sermon on behalf of the devil. He gives occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme. He helps to keep people away from Christ.

For next week:

Chapter 7: Love (Charity)

Please read:

John 13:34-35

1 Cor 13