The Catholic and Orthodox churches affirm that the Lord’s Supper (communion) contains the Body and Blood of Christ (Real Presence). This is a material presence. They base this on the discourse between Christ and the Apostles in John chapter 6.
I assert that the Real Presence is true. But it must be understood to be spiritual food, not carnal.
“And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you’” (Luke 22:19-20).
Catholics formalized the mechanism of communion during the Council of Trent (16th century). The Orthodox never formalized the mechanism. They leave it as a mystery.
The Lord’s Supper: A Spiritual Feast in Reformed Theology
The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, holds a central place in Reformed theology as a means of grace, a spiritual nourishment for believers rather than a mere material consumption. Unlike the Roman Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, which asserts that the bread and wine become the literal body and blood of Christ, the Reformed tradition emphasizes the spiritual presence of Christ in the Supper. This perspective is deeply rooted in the teachings of John Calvin, the Puritans, and other Reformed theologians who saw the sacrament as a means by which believers are spiritually fed and strengthened in their union with Christ.
The Spiritual Nature of the Lord’s Supper
Reformed theology maintains that the Lord’s Supper is not a physical transformation of the elements but a spiritual participation in Christ. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, wrote:
“The sacred mystery of the Supper consists in the spiritual communion which we have in Christ’s body and blood.”
Calvin rejected both transubstantiation and the Lutheran view of consubstantiation, arguing instead that believers partake of Christ spiritually through faith. He emphasized that Christ remains in heaven, yet through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are lifted up to commune with Him.
Similarly, the Westminster Confession of Faith states:
“Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified.”
This confession underscores the Reformed belief that the Supper is a spiritual feeding, not a physical one.
The Lord’s Supper as Spiritual Nourishment
The Puritans also emphasized the Supper as a means of spiritual nourishment. Stephen Charnock, a prominent Puritan theologian, wrote:
“Christ is really presented to us, and faith really takes him, closes with him, lodgeth him in the soul, makes him an indweller; and the soul hath spiritual communion with him in his life and death, as if we did really eat his flesh and drink his blood presented to us in the elements.”
This view aligns with the biblical teaching that Christ is the bread of life (John 6:35), meaning that believers are sustained by Him spiritually rather than physically. The Supper serves as a reminder and assurance of God’s covenant promises, strengthening the faith of those who partake in it.
The Role of Faith in Communion
Faith is the key to receiving the benefits of the Lord’s Supper. The Puritan John Knox emphasized that the Supper is not merely a ritual but a spiritual encounter with Christ:
“Christ, in setting forth bread and wine to eat and drink, confirmeth and sealeth up to us his promise and communion…and giveth unto us himself, to be received with faith, and not with mouth.”
This statement highlights the necessity of faith in partaking of the Supper. Without faith, the elements remain ordinary bread and wine, but with faith, they become a means of spiritual communion with Christ.
Some Quotes from Reformed Theologians on the Lord’s Supper
- John Calvin:
“The Supper is a spiritual banquet, in which Christ attests that He is the life-giving bread, upon which our souls feed unto true and blessed immortality.” - J.I. Packer:
“The Supper is rightly viewed as a means of grace. The efficacy of the sacraments resides not in the faith or virtue of the minister but in the faithfulness of God.” - John Knox:
“Christ, in setting forth bread and wine to eat and drink, confirmeth and sealeth up to us his promise and communion…and giveth unto us himself, to be received with faith, and not with mouth.” - Stephen Charnock:
“Christ is really presented to us, and faith really takes him, closes with him, lodgeth him in the soul, makes him an indweller; and the soul hath spiritual communion with him in his life and death, as if we did really eat his flesh and drink his blood presented to us in the elements.” - John Piper:
“The purpose of the Lord’s Supper is to receive from Christ the nourishment and strength and hope and joy that come from feasting our souls on all that He purchased for us on the cross, especially His own fellowship.”
These quotes highlight the Reformed emphasis on the spiritual nature of the Supper, where believers commune with Christ by faith rather than through a physical transformation of the elements. Would you like me to explore any of these perspectives further?
The Lord’s Supper holds profound theological significance in Reformed theology as a means of grace, a spiritual communion with Christ, and a covenantal sign and seal of the believer’s union with Him. Unlike Roman Catholic and Lutheran views, which emphasize a physical presence of Christ in the elements, Reformed theology teaches that Christ is spiritually present in the Supper, nourishing believers through faith.
- The Lord’s Supper as a Means of Grace
Reformed theology views the Supper as a means of grace, strengthening believers in their faith. The Westminster Confession of Faith states:
“Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements in this sacrament, do then also inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally, but spiritually, receive and feed upon Christ crucified.”
This means that while the bread and wine remain physically unchanged, believers spiritually partake of Christ’s body and blood through faith.
- The Spiritual Presence of Christ
John Calvin emphasized that Christ is not physically present in the elements but is spiritually present through the Holy Spirit. He wrote:
“The sacred mystery of the Supper consists in the spiritual communion which we have in Christ’s body and blood.”
This view, known as pneumatic presence, teaches that believers are lifted up by the Spirit to commune with Christ, who remains in heaven.
- The Lord’s Supper as a Covenant Renewal
The Supper is also a covenantal sign and seal, reaffirming God’s promises to His people. The Belgic Confession states:
“We receive by faith the proper and natural body and the proper blood of Christ, as He Himself has appointed us.”
By partaking in the Supper, believers renew their commitment to Christ and receive assurance of their salvation.
- The Role of Faith in Communion
Faith is essential in receiving the benefits of the Supper. The Puritan John Knox wrote:
“Christ giveth unto us himself, to be received with faith, and not with mouth.”
Without faith, the Supper remains a mere ritual, but with faith, it becomes a spiritual feast that strengthens the believer’s union with Christ.
The Reformed understanding of the Lord’s Supper is deeply rooted in Scripture and theological tradition. It is not a material transformation but a spiritual feast, where believers are nourished by Christ through faith. The Supper strengthens the believer’s union with Christ, assures them of God’s promises, and deepens their spiritual life. As Calvin, the Puritans, and the Westminster Confession affirm, the Lord’s Supper is a sacred means of grace, pointing beyond the physical elements to the spiritual reality of communion with Christ.
In Reformed theology, the Lord’s Supper is not a mere memorial nor a physical transformation, but a spiritual communion with Christ. It nourishes believers, strengthens their faith, and assures them of God’s covenant promises. Through the Supper, Christians are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice and are spiritually fed by His presence.
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