Baptism & the Lord's Supper

The Lord's Supper

Confessional Text

The Lord's Supper is an act of worship and fellowship, whereby members of a church through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, in a very real spiritual sense, by faith, experience and enjoy the presence of Christ, and are spiritually nourished by Him, as they remember His death for them, anticipate His return for them, and affirm their love for and unity with Christ, and one another¹³².

Scriptural References

[132]

Luke 22:14-23

And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you."

1 Corinthians 10:16-17

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 11

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread.

All scripture quotations are from the ESV (English Standard Version).

Historical & Theological Background

Historic debates about the Lord's Supper have centered on Christ's presence: Rome teaches transubstantiation (bread and wine literally become Christ's body and blood), Luther taught consubstantiation (Christ is present "in, with, and under" the elements), and Reformed theology teaches spiritual presence (Christ is spiritually present by faith, but the elements remain bread and wine). This confession affirms the Reformed view: by faith, we spiritually commune with Christ through the Supper.

African Contextual Commentary

In African contexts where there may be superstitious views of the elements or where the Lord's Supper is rarely observed, this statement provides biblical clarity: the Lord's Supper is a memorial of Christ's death, a proclamation of His return, and a means of spiritual fellowship with Him and with fellow believers. It is not a magical ritual that automatically imparts grace, nor is it a re-sacrifice of Christ. It is a covenant meal where believers, by faith, commune with their Savior. African churches should observe it regularly (not just annually) and guard it carefully (only baptized believers in good standing should partake). It is a precious means of grace, strengthening our faith and our unity in Christ.