The Lord’s Supper is, equally with baptism, an ordinance symbolical and sacramental; and no other ordinance than these two is such.1 In this ordinance, by breaking, giving, and receiving bread, by giving, receiving, and drinking of the cup, is shown in the church our Lord’s death till he come in the clouds.2 This is done by his command, in remembrance of him - of his person, his love, his humiliation, his sufferings, his death, and his allsufficient propitiation.3 By this means we profess that we truly receive him, believe in him, love him, feed upon him by faith, are united to him, and, in him, to one another; and, as good soldiers of Christ, live unto him who died for us.4
This is an ordinance for the nourishment and growth of believers in grace, to be often observed in the church by all who can discern the Lord’s body, examine themselves, and do this in remembrance of Christ.5 It is to be administered by ministers of the gospel, as Christ has prescribed. It is for them to set apart the elements of bread and wine with prayer and thanksgiving, break the bread, take the cup, partake themselves of the elements, and then distribute them to the congregation.6 Ignorant persons and the openly profane, or those who, professing godliness, have fallen into sin, are unworthy, till they repent and amend their ways, to partake of the Lord’s Supper: and, if they partake, are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, and eat and drink damnation to themselves.7
1 1 Cor. 10:16-17,21; 11:23-26; 12:13. 2 Matt. 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:26. 3 1 Cor. 11:24-25. 4 John 1:12; 6:53-58; Eph. 3:17; 1 Cor. 10:17; 2 Tim. 2:3; 2 Cor. 5:15. 5 1 Cor. 11:26,28; Acts 2:42,46; 20:7; John 6:54-57. 6 1 Cor. 4:1; 10:17; Rom. 10:15; Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 14:23. 7 1 Cor. 11:27, 29; 2 Thess. 3:6, 14; Psa. 50:16-17; 2 Cor. 6:16-17.
