We see the words “in remembrance of Me” on the communion table each time we participate in a church service, but do we pay attention to their significance? The Lord Jesus Christ spoke them during that final meal with His disciples, and the apostle Paul recorded them for us in his first letter to the believers at Corinth.

In the simple phrase “do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Corinthians 11:24), we have our motivation to fellowship at the table of the Lord’s Supper. What is the Lord’s Supper? There is much confusion among believers regarding its meaning. In one church, it is believed that the bread and the wine change into the body and blood of Christ. In this faith, the communion provides spiritual food and the forgiveness of sins. The Savior is sacrificed at each participation. In another church, it is believed that the elements don’t change, but Christ is present in them. In this faith, the communion provides forgiveness of sins, but only if the partaker demonstrates faith that it will. The first is “transubstantiation”; the second is “consubstantiation.” There is another belief, called “reformed,” where Christ is believed to be present spiritually. This observance is believed to provide grace that brings one closer to the Lord. As Baptists, we understand the Bible to teach that the Lord’s Supper is a “memorial,” and Christ is not in the elements, either literally or spiritually. Along with baptism (which is necessary to share the Lord’s Supper), it is a command given to the church by Jesus Christ. The bread represents His body and the cup represents His blood. We are told to do it, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26) Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins, and He will return one day to take us to where He is. This is the proclamation and the promise of the Lord’s Supper.

Sin cera, Erik

Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

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