Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper at the Passover, the night before his death. It symbolizes the new covenant, unites the church in fellowship, and foreshadows the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9). Jesus told his disciples to take this meal “as often as” they gather (1 Cor 11:25–26). That tells us it is meant to be an ongoing practice. From the establishment of the church at Pentecost, the believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42). Jesus is the head of the church and the focal point of this meal. So the supper is to be received when the local church officially gathers.
The Lord’s Supper is one of two ordinances given to the local church, and it is to be administered carefully and reverently (1 Cor 14:40). Self-examination gives us a chance to confess and repent of indwelling sin. That includes sin against other believers, the kind of sin that divides us when we are seeking unity in Christ at the table (1 Cor 11:27–30). The Lord’s Supper should be practiced frequently. Just as we need to gather every Lord’s Day to be reminded of the gospel and of our profession, we need this meal to renew our covenant and be nourished by Jesus. The bread symbolizes the body of Christ and the cup his blood (Matt 26:26–28). As we share in it, the supper signifies our union with Christ (1 Cor 10:16).
As we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, a true spiritual communion takes place between the Lord and his church. Therefore, all who believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and have been baptized can participate. Just as baptism is the doorway into the house of faith, the Lord’s Supper is the meal shared together once inside. You can’t sit down at the table until you’ve been let into the house. So the supper is not for unbelievers, and it is not for Christians who have not yet been baptized.
