What custom is observed when those who have received confirmation instruction are admitted to Lord´s Supper for the first time?

Before coming to the Lord’s Table for the first time, those who have been baptized and have received confirmation instruction, publicly confess their faith before the congregation, and promise to be faithful members of a congregation that is faithful to God’s Word. After that, the congregation receives them as members eligible to receive Communion, and prays that the Holy Spirit will give them strength to remain in faith in their Lord and Savior until they die, and to inherit eternal life. (The rite of Confirmation).

If young people or adults have not been baptized, before being baptized, they are asked questions similar to those asked in the rite of Confirmation. They are eligible to partake of Communion after being baptized.

Rev. 2:10: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Rev. 3:11: Behold, I come quickly. Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Where may we partake of the Lord´s Supper?

A doctrinally informed Christian will commune only there, where the real presence of Christ’s body and blood is confessed, and where God’s Word is taught in its truth and purity.

1 Cor. 10:21: Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils. Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s Table, and of the table of devils.

What is the practice in Lutheran churches, when coming to partake of the Lord´s Supper?

Since ancient times Lutheran churches have required that those who intend to partake of the Lord’s Supper, make their intention known to the pastor. At the same time they have the opportunity for private confession and for conversing with the pastor concerning spiritual matters. This is a good practice to retain, where possible, even though in small congregations a pastor knows his flock well. A pastor always has the right, when he so desires, as the shepherd of souls, to talk to communicants before they commune.

1 Cor. 4:1: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Heb. 13:17: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you.

To whom must a pastor not give Holy Communion?

He must not give Holy Communion

1. To those, who have not been baptized into the Christian faith.


2. To manifest and impenitent sinners, in order that they will not eat and drink to their damnation.
   
   

   Matt. 7:6: Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine.
   
   1 Cor. 11:27: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of he Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.



3. To those who have abandoned the Christian faith and have not repented and returned.


4. To those of different faiths, for in partaking of the Lord’s Supper, we confess that we are one in faith with those with whom we commune.
   

   Rom. 16:17: I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them.
   
   Cor. 10:21-22: Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s Table and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?



5. To those who have caused offense, and have not as yet removed it, so that no one will have any basis for believing that they are partaking of the Lord’s Supper while impenitent.
   

   Matt. 5:24: First be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
   
   1 Cor. 10:32: Give none offense... nor to the church of God.



6. To those who are not able to examine themselves, and do not understand what they receive in the Lord’s Supper. Such people are small children, the unconscious, those mentally confused, those who are asleep, those patients who because of their illness do not understand what the Lord’s Supper is, and those other Christians, to whom the chief parts of Christian doctrine, especially the doctine of the Lord’s Supper, have not as yet been taught.
   
   

   1 Cor. 11:29: He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.

   
   
   Luther: “I cannot say that the Bohemians, who give Communion to children, are right.” (Letter to Hausmann, 1527)

Who are unworthy guests at the Lord´s Table?

Unworthy guests at the Lord’s Table are those, who do not consider their sins to be damning sins, and who do not consider the Lord Christ’s work of redemption to be indispensible. They do not therefore believe that Christ has paid their debt of sin, and that in this Sacrament He gives them His body and blood as a pledge and seal of this forgiveness. If such people nevertheless partake of the Lord’s Supper, they eat and drink to their damnation.

Joh. 3:18: He that believeth not is condemned already.

1 Cor. 11:27-29: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of he Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

May a person whose faith is weak partake of the Lord´s Supper?

Especially those whose faith is weak should partake of the Lord’s Supper, for they receive strength for their faith through this Sacrament.

Matt. 9:24: I believe, help Thou mine unbelief.

Is. 42:3: A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench.

Joh. 6:37: Him that cometh to Me I will inno wise cast out.

How are you to examine yourself before partaking of the Lord´s Supper?

I am to examine myself before partaking of the Lord’s Supper, and to ask myself before God,

1. Do I confess that I have earned God’s condemnation because of my sins?


2. Do I believe that God is merciful to me because of Christ, and that He assures me of this with His Son’s true body and blood in the Lord’s Supper?


3. Do I sincerely intend, and do I desire, with the help of God’s grace, to forsake sin and to improve my life?

When are we properly prepared for the Lord´s Supper, and worthy communicants?

No work or preparation of our own makes us worthy communicants.

We are worthy when we have a tender conscience and are sorry for our own sins, but nevertheless believe, that Christ has sacrificed His body and blood also for the forgiveness of our sins, and we long to be assured of this.

Matt. 9:12: They that be whole need not a physician, but they are sick.

Matt. 11:28: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

What benefit is there in outward preparation?

Outward preparation, such as fasting, restrained and dignified demeanor, and appropriate dress are good customs. They may help us to think of the priceless worth of the Sacrament and its great blessings and help us to receive it with thanksgiving. God’s Word, however, does not command outward preparation, so it is a matter of free choice. Outward customs do not make worthy communicants of us. Even unbelievers may have them.

Why are we to partake of the Lord´s Supper worthily?

Who, then, receives such Sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in these words, “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins.” But he that does not believe these words, or doubts, is unworthy and unprepared; for the words “for you” require all hearts to believe.

We are to partake of the Lord’s Supper worthily, because we are partaking of the body and blood of the Lord Christ Himself, and because God’s Word expressly exhorts us to do so.

1 Cor. 11:28-29: Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

Who benefits from partaking of the Lord´s Supper?

How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things? It is not the eating and drinking indeed that does them, but the words here written, “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins”; which words, besides the bodily eating and drinking, are the chief thing in the Sacrament; and he that believes these words has what they say and express, namely, the forgiveness of sins.

Every partaker of the Sacrament receives Christ’s body and blood in the bread and wine, but only those receive them to their benefit, who believe those words of Christ and in their hearts accept what they promise and declare.

For what purpose do we partake of the Lord´s Supper?

We partake of the Lord’s Supper, in order that

1. 1. Our faith will be strengthened and refreshed, as we receive special and personal assurance of forgiveness.
   
   

   Jer. 31:25: For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.




2. 2. We can better live according to God’s will, as our faith is strengthened.
   
   

   Ps. 119:32: I will run the ways of They commandments, when Thou shalt enlarge my heart.
   
   Joh. 15:5: I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit, for without Me ye can do nothing.



3. We confess the true unity of faith.
   
   

   1 Cor. 10:17: For we being many are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread.
   
   1 Cor. 10:21: Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils. Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
   
   1 Cor. 11:26: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.

Luther: “There is this comfort from this holy Sacrament, that by means of it, Christ keeps His small flock together... But this can never happen, unless there is agreement in doctrine... Our dear Lord Christ instituted this Sacrament in order to preserve unity in doctrine, faith and life.” (Sermon on the Lord’s Supper).

What benefits do we receive from the Lord´s Supper?

What is the benefit of such eating and drinking? That is shown us by these words, “Given and shed for you for the remission of sins”; namely, that in the sacrament, forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.

Partaking of this Sacrament brings us great benefits. For in this Sacrament our Lord Christ gives us forgiveness of sins, life and salvation. As a pledge and seal of these blessings He gives us His true body and blood, which He has sacrificed for each of us, when He paid the penalty for our sins.

1 Joh. 5:11: God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

Rom. 4:7-8: Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

What does the Lord Christ teach, when he says: “This do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me”?

When Christ says: “This do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me”, He teaches that

1. The Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated frequently and continually in His Church until He returns on the Last Day.


2. It is to be celebrated in accordance with His institution.


3. The visible means are to be consecrated by repeating the words of institution.
   
   

   1 Cor. 11:26: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come.
   
   Acts 2:42: They continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Luther: “Let those who would be Christians make ready to receive this venerable Sacrament often.”

How many types of eating and drinking occur in the Lord´s Supper?

Three types of eating and drinking occur in the Lord’s Supper: natural, spiritual and Sacramental. Natural eating and drinking is regular eating and drinking. In the Lord’s Supper the bread and wine are eaten in a natural manner, like food.

Spiritual eating and drinking is faith in Christ. Through faith we enjoy the fruits of Christ’s work of redemption, forgiveness of sins.

Read Joh. 6:47-58. We are always to engage in this spiritual eating and drinking.

Note: Joh. 6:47-58 does not speak of partaking of the Lord’s Supper, but rather of this spiritual eating and drinking.

Sacramental eating and drinking occurs only in the Lord’s Supper, for only in the Lord’s Supper can we with our mouth receive and in a supernatural manner eat and drink Christ’s true body and blood. This occurs at the same time as we eat the bread and drink the wine.

Do the bread and wine change into the body and blood of Christ in the Lord´s Supper?

The bread and wine do not change into the body and blood of Christ in the Lord’s Supper, as the Papal Church teaches, but the bread remains bread and the wine remains wine during the entire time. But at the same time, as we eat the consecrated bread, we receive Christ’s true body, and as we drink the consecrated wine, we receive Christ’s true blood.

1 Cor. 10:16: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communionof the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

Why cannot Christ´s words “this is my body” and “this is my blood” be understood symbolically?

These words of Christ cannot be understood symbolically, as the rebaptizers and other Reformed churches do, because

1. Our Lord Christ, in the words of institution, tells us that He gives us that body of His, which He has given for us, and that blood of His, which He has shed for us.



2. The Apostle Paul tells us that in the Lord’s Supper the cup is the communion with the blood of Christ, and that the bread is the communion with the body of Christ.
   
   

   1 Cor. 10:16: The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communionof the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?




3. The Apostle Paul states, that he that partakes of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner is guilty of sinning – not against the bread and wine – but against Christ’s body and blood.
   
   

   1 Cor. 11:27: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.




4. The words of institution are words of a divine institution and testament.
   
   

   Gal. 3:15: Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannuleth or addeth thereto.

Luther: “For as the lips of Christ say and speak, so it is, as He can never lie or deceive.”

Through what power are the true body and the true blood of Christ present in the bread and wine?

Christ’s true body and true blood are present in the bread and wine, through the power of the words of institution, which Christ spoke when He first instituted the Lord’s Super, and which are repeated, when the visible means are consecrated.

For what purpose does our Lord Christ use the visible means in the Lord´s Supper?

In the Lord’s Supper our Lord Christ gives His true body in the bread, and His true blood in the wine, as He states in the words of institution.

What are the visible means in the Sacrament of the Lord´s Supper?

The Lord Christ commanded that the visible means to be used in the Lord’s Supper are to be bread made from grain flour, and wine prepared from grapes.

Assignment: Read Matt. 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:18-20, and 1 Cor. 11:23-25: the institution of the Lord’s Supper.