Westminster Larger Catechism · 1647

Q168. What is the Lord's supper?

The Lord's supper is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, his death is showed forth; and they that worthily communicate feed upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace; have their union and communion with him confirmed; testify and renew their thankfulness, and engagement to God, and their mutual love and fellowship each with other, as members of the same mystical body.
Answer · Westminster Larger Catechism

Scripture proofs

  1. [1]
    Luke 22:20

    Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

  2. [2]
    Matthew 26:26-28

    And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

    1 Corinthians 11:13-26

    Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. …

  3. [3]
    1 Corinthians 10:16

    The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

  4. [4]
    1 Corinthians 11:24

    And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

  5. [5]
    1 Corinthians 10:14-16

    Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

    1 Corinthians 10:21

    Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

  6. [6]
    1 Corinthians 10:17

    For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Proof texts as given in the original; verse text from the King James Version.