Q.96. What is the Lord’s supper?

A. The Lord’s supper is a sacrament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is shewed 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.[e]

[e] 1 Cor. 11:23-26. 1 Cor. 10:16.

We are here taught,

1. That the sensible signs to be used in the Lord’s Supper are bread and wine.

2. That by giving and receiving bread and wine in the sacrament of the Supper, according to Christ’s appointment, his death is shewed forth.

3. That is is not a corporal and carnal manner that Christ’s body and blood are received in the sacrament.

4. That in the sacrament the body and blood of Christ are received by faith.

5. That in the sacrament, believers are made partakers of Christ and all his benefits.

6. That spiritual nourishment is conferred in the sacrament.

7. That by worthily partaking of the Lord’s Supper, the Christian is enabled to grow in grace.

Q.97. What is required in the worthy receiving of the Lord’s supper?

A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord’s supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body,[f] of their faith to feed upon him,[g] of their repentance,[h] love,[i] and new obedience;[k] lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.[l]

[f] 1 Cor. 11:28,29.

[g] 2 Cor. 13:5.

[h] 1 Cor. 11:31.

[i] 1 Cor. 10:16,17.

[k] 1 Cor. 5:7,8.

[l] 1 Cor. 11:28,29.

We are here taught,

1. That self-examination is required of all who would worthily partake of the Lord’s Supper.

2. That communicants should examine themselves respecting their knowledge to discern the Lord’s body.

3. That communicants should examine themselves respecting their faith to feed upon Christ.

4. That communicants should examine themselves respecting their repentance.

5. That communicants should examine themselves respecting their love.

6. That communicants should examine themselves respecting their new obedience.

7. That it is dangerous to neglect the duty of self-examination.

8. That communicating unworthily exposes us to the judgments of God.