Bible Dictionaries
The Lord's Supper

Holman Bible Dictionary

A celebration by which the church recalls Christ's sacrificial death and anticipates His coming again (1 Corinthians 11:26 ). Of the New Testament writers only Paul used the phrase “Lord's Supper” (1 Corinthians 11:20 ). Acts refers to this worship event as the “breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42 ,Acts 2:42,2:46; Acts 20:7 ). Paul also spoke of the Supper in terms of its component parts, the “cup of blessing” (1 Corinthians 10:16 ) or “cup of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 10:21 ) and the “table of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 10:21 ).

Various names for the supper stress different aspects of its importance. “Lord's Supper” highlights Christ's role as Host and the One who institutes the Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23 ). “Eucharist” (from the blessing pronounced over the bread and wine) underlines Christ's sacrificial death as a cause for thanksgiving to God. “Communion” stresses the sharing in Christ's blood and body which makes believers one (1 Corinthians 10:16-17 ). To eat of the Supper in an “unworthy manner” (1 Corinthians 11:27 ) involves in part “factions” which show contempt for the poor who are also part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:21-22 ). See Ordinances .