Tag: eucharist

Here is the link to Article X: https://bookofconcord.org/augsburg-confession/of-the-lords-supper/

This article is so short that I’ll reproduce the entire text here:

“Of the Supper of the Lord they teach that the Body and Blood of Christ are truly present, and are distributed to those who eat the Supper of the Lord; and they reject those that teach otherwise.”

In other words, the bread and wine of Holy Communion are not mere symbols. Jesus did not say “this symbolizes my body and blood.” He said “this is my body and blood.”

Further, we read in 1 Corinthians 10:16 that the “cup of thanksgiving” and the “bread” are a “participation” (koinonia) in the body and blood of Christ. Hence, we affirm that his true body and blood are present in, with, and under the bread and wine.

We believe that when the words of institution are joined to the physical elements, they become a sacrament — that is a vehicle for God’s grace — through which we receive forgiveness (Matthew 26:28).

We believe that all who receive the sacrament receive Christ’s true body and blood. However, a person who receives it “in an unworthy manner” does so to their own detriment (1 Corinthians 11:27-29).

It is important, then, that we only offer this sacrament to baptized believers. This custom goes back to the early church.

At our congregation, when baptized children begin to show interest in receiving communion, I first meet with them as a pastor to make sure that they have a basic understanding of their own sinfulness, their need for salvation through Jesus, and the meaning of Holy Communion.