Lord's Supper as means of grace and spiritual communion

The supper is understood as means of grace and true communion with Christ in spiritual sense.

84%

Confidence

Supportive

Contrary

Neutral

What it is: The Presbyterian tradition understands the Lord's Supper as means of grace and real communion with Christ in spiritual sense.

How the tradition understands it: The presence of Christ is not reduced to a mere empty symbol, but is also not formulated in the same terms as transubstantiation. The sacrament nourishes the faith of the participants.

Basis and context: The Reformed reading of the supper and the Westminster confessional tradition support this position.

Debates and variations: There are differences of emphasis between Reformed and Presbyterian churches, but the supper as means of grace is a widely recognized theme.

Supportive

1 Corinthians 10:16

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Participation in the body and blood of Christ.

Reference: 1 Corinthians 10:16.
Content: Paul speaks of communion in the body and blood of Christ in the supper.
Use in debate: Important for the understanding of the supper as real communion in spiritual sense.

1 Corinthians 11:26

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Proclamation of the Lord's death in the supper.

Reference: 1 Corinthians 11:26.
Content: The text relates the supper to the proclamation of the Lord's death until he comes.
Use in debate: Important for Presbyterian understanding of the supper as means of grace and proclamation.

John Calvin, Institutes 4.17

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Calvin's exposition on the Lord's Supper.

Reference: John Calvin, Institutes, book 4, chapter 17.
Content: Calvin develops the doctrine of the supper as true spiritual communion with Christ.
Use in debate: One of the main sources for the Reformed and Presbyterian position on the supper.

Westminster Larger Catechism 171-177

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Classic questions about the Lord's Supper.

Reference: Westminster Larger Catechism, questions 171-177.
Content: The text explains preparation, participation, and spiritual meaning of the Lord's Supper.
Use in debate: Important source for Presbyterian doctrine of the supper as means of grace.