What Is the Lord's Supper in the Bible?

The Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus on the night of His betrayal during the Passover meal with His disciples. Taking bread, He blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' Then taking the cup, He said, 'Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.' The Apostle Paul later received this tradition and passed it on to the churches, instructing them to observe it 'until he come.' The Lord's Supper is primarily a memorial — a proclamation of the Lord's death until He returns. The bread represents Christ's body, broken for us; the cup represents His blood, shed for the remission of sins. Different Christian traditions understand the elements differently: some see a literal transformation (transubstantiation), some a spiritual presence (consubstantiation), and others a memorial only. The biblical view is that the elements symbolize and represent Christ's sacrifice without becoming physically transformed. Participation is for believers who have examined themselves and are in right fellowship with God and His church. The Supper also expresses unity among believers — 'we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.' It is not a means of grace that imparts salvation, but a means of grace that nourishes faith, deepens communion with Christ, and strengthens believers for their spiritual journey.