Larger Catechism

Q 173. May any who profess the faith, and desire to come to the Lord's Supper, be kept from it?

A. Such as are found to be ignorant or scandalous, notwithstanding their profession of the faith, and desire to come to the Lord's Supper, may and ought to be kept from that sacrament, by the power which Christ hath left in his church,1 until they receive instruction, and manifest their reformation.2

1. 1 Corinthians 11:27-34

   Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

   So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

   Matthew 7:6

   “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

   1 Corinthians 5

   5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

   For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.

   Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

   I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

   Jude 1:23

   save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

   1 Timothy 5:22

   Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. (ESV)

2. 2 Corinthians 2:7

   so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. (ESV)

Larger Catechism

Q 172. May one who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation, come to the Lord's Supper?

A. One who doubteth of his being in Christ, or of his due preparation to the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, may have true interest in Christ, though he be not yet assured thereof;1 and in God's account hath it, if he be duly affected with the apprehension of the want of it,2 and unfeignedly desires to be found in Christ,3 and to depart from iniquity:4 in which case (because promises are made, and this sacrament is appointed, for the relief even of weak and doubting Christians5) he is to bewail his unbelief,6 and labor to have his doubts resolved;7 and, so doing, he may and ought to come to the Lord's Supper, that he may be further strengthened.8

1. Isaiah 50:10

   Who among you fears the Lord
   and obeys the voice of his servant?
   Let him who walks in darkness
   and has no light
   trust in the name of the Lord
   and rely on his God.

   1 John 5:13

   I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

   Psalm 88

   88:1 O Lord, God of my salvation;
   I cry out day and night before you.
   Let my prayer come before you;
   incline your ear to my cry!

   For my soul is full of troubles,
   and my life draws near to Sheol.
   I am counted among those who go down to the pit;
   I am a man who has no strength,
   like one set loose among the dead,
   like the slain that lie in the grave,
   like those whom you remember no more,
   for they are cut off from your hand.
   You have put me in the depths of the pit,
   in the regions dark and deep.
   Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
   and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah

   You have caused my companions to shun me;
   you have made me a horror to them.
   I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
   my eye grows dim through sorrow.
   Every day I call upon you, O Lord;
   I spread out my hands to you.
   Do you work wonders for the dead?
   Do the departed rise up to praise you? Selah
   Is your steadfast love declared in the grave,
   or your faithfulness in Abaddon?
   Are your wonders known in the darkness,
   or your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

   But I, O Lord, cry to you;
   in the morning my prayer comes before you.
   O Lord, why do you cast my soul away?
   Why do you hide your face from me?
   Afflicted and close to death from my youth up,
   I suffer your terrors; I am helpless.
   Your wrath has swept over me;
   your dreadful assaults destroy me.
   They surround me like a flood all day long;
   they close in on me together.
   You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me;
   my companions have become darkness.

   Psalm 77:1-4

   77:1 I cry aloud to God,
   aloud to God, and he will hear me.
   In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
   in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
   my soul refuses to be comforted.
   When I remember God, I moan;
   when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah

   You hold my eyelids open;
   I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

   Psalm 77:7-10

   “Will the Lord spurn forever,
   and never again be favorable?
   Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
   Are his promises at an end for all time?
   Has God forgotten to be gracious?
   Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah

   Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
   to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”

   Jonah 2:4

   Then I said, ‘I am driven away
   from your sight;
   yet I shall again look
   upon your holy temple.’ (ESV)

2. Isaiah 54:7-10

   For a brief moment I deserted you,
   but with great compassion I will gather you.
   In overflowing anger for a moment
   I hid my face from you,
   but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
   says the Lord, your Redeemer.

   “This is like the days of Noah to me:
   as I swore that the waters of Noah
   should no more go over the earth,
   so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you,
   and will not rebuke you.
   For the mountains may depart
   and the hills be removed,
   but my steadfast love shall not depart from you,
   and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,”
   says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

   Matthew 5:3-4

   “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

   “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

   Psalm 31:22

   I had said in my alarm,
   “I am cut off from your sight.”
   But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
   when I cried to you for help.

   Psalm 73:13

   All in vain have I kept my heart clean
   and washed my hands in innocence.

   Psalm 73:22-23

   I was brutish and ignorant;
   I was like a beast toward you.

   Nevertheless, I am continually with you;
   you hold my right hand. (ESV)

3. Philippians 3:8-9

   Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—

   Psalm 10:17

   O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
   you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear

   Psalm 42:1-2

   42:1 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
   so pants my soul for you, O God.
   My soul thirsts for God,
   for the living God.
   When shall I come and appear before God?

   Psalm 42:5

   Why are you cast down, O my soul,
   and why are you in turmoil within me?
   Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
   my salvation

   Psalm 42:11

   Why are you cast down, O my soul,
   and why are you in turmoil within me?
   Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
   my salvation and my God. (ESV)

4. 2 Timothy 2:19

   But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

   Isaiah 50:10

   Who among you fears the Lord
   and obeys the voice of his servant?
   Let him who walks in darkness
   and has no light
   trust in the name of the Lord
   and rely on his God.

   Psalm 66:18-20

   If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
   the Lord would not have listened.
   But truly God has listened;
   he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

   Blessed be God,
   because he has not rejected my prayer
   or removed his steadfast love from me! (ESV)

5. Isaiah 40:11

   He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
   he will gather the lambs in his arms;
   he will carry them in his bosom,
   and gently lead those that are with young.

   Isaiah 40:29

   He gives power to the faint,
   and to him who has no might he increases strength.

   Isaiah 40:31

   but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
   they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
   they shall run and not be weary;
   they shall walk and not faint.

   Matthew 11:28

   Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

   Matthew 12:20

   a bruised reed he will not break,
   and a smoldering wick he will not quench,
   until he brings justice to victory;

   Matthew 26:28

   for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)

6. Mark 9:24

   Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (ESV)

7. Acts 2:37

   Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

   Acts 16:30

   Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (ESV)

8. Romans 4:11

   He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,

   1 Corinthians 11:28

   Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (ESV)

Shorter Catechism

Q 97. What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's supper?

A. It is required of them that would worthily partake of the Lord's Supper, that they examine themselves of their knowledge to discern the Lord's body, of their faith to feed upon him, of their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves.1

Larger Catechism

Q 171. How are they that receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper to prepare themselves before they come unto it?

A. They that receive the sacrament of the Lord's Supper are, before they come, to prepare themselves thereunto, by examining themselves2 of their being in Christ,3 of their sins and wants;4 of the truth and measure of their knowledge,5 faith,6 repentance;7 love to God and the brethren,8 charity to all men,9 forgiving those that have done them wrong;10 of their desires after Christ,11 and of their new obedience;12 and by renewing the exercise of these graces,13 by serious meditation,14 and fervent prayer.15

1. 1 Corinthians 11:27-32

   Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world. (ESV)

2. 1 Corinthians 11:28

   Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (ESV)

3. 2 Corinthians 13:5

   Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! (ESV)

4. 1 Corinthians 5:7

   Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

   Exodus 12:15

   Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven out of your houses, for if anyone eats what is leavened, from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel. (ESV)

5. 1 Corinthians 11:29

   For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. (ESV)

6. 2 Corinthians 13:5

   Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

   Matthew 26:28

   for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)

7. Zechariah 12:10

   “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.

   1 Corinthians 11:31

   But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. (ESV)

8. 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

   The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

   Acts 2:46-47

   And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (ESV)

9. 1 Corinthians 5:8

   Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

   1 Corinthians 11:18

   For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,

   1 Corinthians 11:20

   When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. (ESV)

10. Matthew 5:23-24

    So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. (ESV)

11. Isaiah 55:1

    55:1 “Come, everyone who thirsts,
    come to the waters;
    and he who has no money,
    come, buy and eat!
    Come, buy wine and milk
    without money and without price.

    John 7:37

    On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. (ESV)

12. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8

    Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (ESV)

13. 1 Corinthians 11:25-26

    In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

    1 Corinthians 11:28

    Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

    Hebrews 10:21-22

    and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

    Hebrews 10:24

    And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

    Psalm 26:6

    I wash my hands in innocence
    and go around your altar, O Lord, (ESV)

14. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

    and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (ESV)

15. 2 Chronicles 30:18-19

    For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than as prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules of cleanness.”

    Matthew 26:26

    Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” (ESV)

Confession of FaithChapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper

Although ignorant and wicked men receive the outward elements in this sacrament; yet, they receive not the thing signified thereby; but, by their unworthy coming thereunto, are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, to their own damnation. Wherefore, all ignorant and ungodly persons, as they are unfit to enjoy communion with him, so are they unworthy of the Lord's table; and cannot, without great sin against Christ, while they remain such, partake of these holy mysteries,1 or be admitted thereunto.2

1. 1 Corinthians 11:27-29

   Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

   2 Corinthians 6:14-16

   Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

   “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
   and I will be their God,
   and they shall be my people. (ESV)

2. 1 Corinthians 5:6-7

   Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

   1 Corinthians 5:13

   God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

   2 Thessalonians 3:6

   Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

   2 Thessalonians 3:14-15

   If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed. Do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother.

   Matthew 7:6

   “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. (ESV)

Confession of FaithChapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper

Worthy receivers, outwardly partaking of the visible elements, in this sacrament,1 do then also, inwardly by faith, really and indeed, yet not carnally and corporally but spiritually, receive, and feed upon, Christ crucified, and all benefits of his death: the body and blood of Christ being then, not corporally or carnally, in, with, or under the bread and wine; yet, as really, but spiritually, present to the faith of believers in that ordinance, as the elements themselves are to their outward senses.2

Larger Catechism

Q 170. How do they that worthily communicate in the Lord's supper feed upon the body and blood of Christ therein?

A. As the body and blood of Christ are not corporally or carnally present in, with, or under the bread and wine in the Lord's Supper,3 and yet are spiritually present to the faith of the receiver, no less truly and really than the elements themselves are to their outward senses;4 so they that worthily communicate in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, do therein feed upon the body and blood of Christ, not after a corporal and carnal, but in a spiritual manner; yet truly and really,5 while by faith they receive and apply unto themselves Christ crucified, and all the benefits of his death.6

1. 1 Corinthians 11:28

   Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (ESV)

2. 1 Corinthians 10:16

   The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (ESV)

3. Acts 3:21

   whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. (ESV)

4. Matthew 26:26

   Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.”

   Matthew 26:28

   for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)

5. 1 Corinthians 11:24-29

   and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

   Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

   John 6:51

   I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

   John 6:53

   So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. (ESV)

6. 1 Corinthians 10:16

   The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? (ESV)

Confession of FaithChapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper

That doctrine which maintains a change of the substance of bread and wine, into the substance of Christ's body and blood (commonly called transubstantiation) by consecration of a priest, or by any other way, is repugnant, not to Scripture alone, but even to common sense, and reason; overthroweth the nature of the sacrament, and hath been, and is, the cause of manifold superstitions; yea, of gross idolatries.1

1. Acts 3:21

   whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

   1 Corinthians 11:24-26

   and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

   Luke 24:6

   He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,

   Luke 24:39

   See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (ESV)

Confession of FaithChapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper

The outward elements in this sacrament, duly set apart to the uses ordained by Christ, have such relation to him crucified, as that, truly, yet sacramentally only, they are sometimes called by the name of the things they represent, to wit, the body and blood of Christ;1 albeit, in substance and nature, they still remain truly and only bread and wine, as they were before.2

1. Matthew 26:26-28

   Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (ESV)

2. 1 Corinthians 11:26-28

   For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

   Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

   Matthew 26:29

   I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” (ESV)

Confession of FaithChapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper

Private masses, or receiving this sacrament by a priest, or any other, alone;1 as likewise, the denial of the cup to the people,2 worshiping the elements, the lifting them up, or carrying them about, for adoration, and the reserving them for any pretended religious use; are all contrary to the nature of this sacrament, and to the institution of Christ.3

1. 1 Corinthians 10:6

   Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. (ESV)

2. Mark 14:23

   And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it.

   1 Corinthians 11:25-29

   In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

   Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. (ESV)

3. Matthew 15:9

   in vain do they worship me,
   teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (ESV)

Confession of FaithChapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper

The Lord Jesus hath, in this ordinance, appointed his ministers to declare his word of institution to the people; to pray, and bless the elements of bread and wine, and thereby to set them apart from a common to an holy use; and to take and break the bread, to take the cup, and (they communicating also themselves) to give both to the communicants;1 but to none who are not then present in the congregation.2

Larger Catechism

Q 169. How hath Christ appointed bread and wine to be given and received in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper?

A. Christ hath appointed the ministers of his Word, in the administration of this sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to set apart the bread and wine from common use, by the word of institution, thanksgiving, and prayer; to take and break the bread, and to give both the bread and the wine to the communicants: who are, by the same appointment, to take and eat the bread, and to drink the wine, in thankful remembrance that the body of Christ was broken and given, and his blood shed, for them.3

1. Matthew 26:26-28

   Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

   Mark 14:22-24

   And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

   Luke 22:19-20

   And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

   1 Corinthians 11:23-26

   For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (ESV)

2. Acts 20:7

   On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight.

   1 Corinthians 11:20

   When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. (ESV)

3. 1 Corinthians 11:23-24

   For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

   Matthew 26:26-28

   Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

   Mark 14:22-24

   And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

   Luke 22:19-20

   And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. (ESV)

Confession of FaithChapter 29: Of the Lord's Supper

In this sacrament, Christ is not offered up to his Father; nor any real sacrifice made at all, for remission of sins of the quick or dead;1 but only a commemoration of that one offering up of himself, by himself, upon the cross, once for all: and a spiritual oblation of all possible praise unto God, for the same:2 so that the popish sacrifice of the mass (as they call it) is most abominably injurious to Christ's one, only sacrifice, the alone propitiation for all the sins of his elect.3

1. Hebrews 9:22

   Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.

   Hebrews 9:25-26

   Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own, for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

   Hebrews 9:28

   so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (ESV)

2. 1 Corinthians 11:24-26

   and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

   Matthew 26:26-27

   Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, (ESV)

3. Hebrews 7:23-24

   The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.

   Hebrews 7:27

   He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

   Hebrews 10:11-12

   And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

   Hebrews 10:14

   For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.

   Hebrews 10:18

   Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. (ESV)