Reference: Eucharist
Hastings
This is the earliest title for the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. It is found in Ignatius and the Didache, and is based upon the eucharistia or giving of thanks with which our Lord set apart the bread and wine at the Last Supper as memorials of Himself (Mt 26:27; Lu 22:17,19; 1Co 11:24). The name Lord's Supper, though legitimately derived from 1Co 11:20, is not there applied to the sacrament itself, but to the Love-feast or Agape, a meal commemorating the Last Supper, and not yet separated from the Eucharist when St. Paul wrote. The irregularities rebuked by the Apostle (1Co 11:21,29) are such as could only have accompanied the wider celebration, and doubtless contributed to the speedy separation of the essential rite from the unnecessary accessories. The title Communion comes from 1Co 10:16, where, however, the word is a predicate not used technically. The breaking of (the) bread (Ac 2:42,46) probably refers to the Eucharist (cf. Ac 20:7; Lu 24:35?), but until modern times does not seem to have been adopted as a title.
1. The institution is recorded by each of the Synoptic Gospels, but not by St. John. A fourth account appears in 1 Corinthians.
As they were eating, he took bread, and when he had blessed, he brake it, and gave to them, and said. Take ye: this is my body. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many unto remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Lu 22:14-20.
When the hour was come, he sat down, and the apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body [which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. And the cup in like manner after supper, saying. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you].
I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, how that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said. This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me. In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
A comparison shows variations of minor importance between Mark and Matthew. But the most remarkable differences are those of Luke, which mentions what is apparently a second cup. It seems scarcely credible that at a supreme moment, like that in which a sacred rite was being established, our Lord should have created the possibility of confusion by solemnly delivering two of the Paschal cups, dividing between them the words which, according to the other Synoptics, belong, as it would seem appropriately, to one. Nor, if He were about to ballow a succeeding cup as Eucharistic, is it likely that He would have spoken of the fulfilment of the Paschal wine in relation to another (Lu 22:17). In spite, therefore, of the fact that the majority of MSS and Versions favour its inclusion, Westcott and Hort are probably right in regarding the passage inclosed in brackets above as an interpolation. With this omitted, the narrative is assimilated to the other Synoptics. The inversion of bread and cup, which now becomes apparent and which probably belongs not to Luke but to his source, is perhaps due to the fact that the writer, dwelling on the Lord's intention that the Passover should be fulfilled in a Messianic rite, records at the opening of his narrative a declaration similar to that which Matthew and Mark assign to a later stage, the delivery of the cup (Mt 26:29; Mr 14:25). These words, though referring more particularly to the Eucharistic bread, yet, as extending to the whole meal ('this passover'), require no mention of the action that would accompany them; whereas the companion statement concerning the fruit of the vine (Lu 22:18) necessitates the mention of the cup (Lu 22:17). The first half of Lu 22:19 (the consecration of the bread), which, if the account were symmetrical, would appear (as arranged in Rush-brooke's Synopticon) before Lu 22:15, is then added to complete the institution. A copyist, assuming a part of the narrative to be wanting, would then introduce, probably from a contemporary liturgical formula, the second half of Lu 22:19 and Lu 22:20, which bear a striking resemblance to the Pauline account, of which Luke is otherwise independent. A similar inversion is found in the sub-Apostolic Teaching of the Apostles.
2. From the Synoptic record the following inferences may be drawn: (1) The words of institution cannot themselves determine the meaning of the rite. Luke (unless v. 20 be genuine) omits 'This is my blood of the covenant.' [Notice also that the other traditional form varies the phrase
See Verses Found in Dictionary
During the meal Jesus took a Passover biscuit, blessed it and broke it. He then gave it to the disciples, saying, "Take this and eat it: it is my body." And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you;
And He took the cup and gave thanks, and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it, all of you; for this is my blood which is to be poured out for many for the remission of sins--the blood which ratifies the Covenant.
for this is my blood which is to be poured out for many for the remission of sins--the blood which ratifies the Covenant. I tell you that I will never again take the produce of the vine till that day when I shall drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom."
I tell you that I will never again take the produce of the vine till that day when I shall drink the new wine with you in my Father's Kingdom."
He appointed twelve of them, that they might be with Him, and that He might also send them to proclaim His Message,
Also during the meal He took a Passover biscuit, blessed it, and broke it. He then gave it to them, saying, "Take this, it is my body." Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and handed it to them, and they all of them drank from it. read more. "This is my blood," He said, "which is to be poured out on behalf of many--the blood which makes the Covenant sure. I solemnly tell you that never again will I taste the produce of the vine till I shall drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God."
I solemnly tell you that never again will I taste the produce of the vine till I shall drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God."
When the time was come, and He had taken His place at table, and the Apostles with Him, He said to them, "Earnestly have I longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
He said to them, "Earnestly have I longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer;
He said to them, "Earnestly have I longed to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you that I certainly shall not eat one again till its full meaning has been brought out in the Kingdom of God." read more. Then, having received the cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves;
Then, having received the cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves;
Then, having received the cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves;
Then, having received the cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; for I tell you that from this time I will never drink the produce of the vine till the Kingdom of God has come."
for I tell you that from this time I will never drink the produce of the vine till the Kingdom of God has come." Then, taking a Passover biscuit, He gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is being given on your behalf: this do in remembrance of me."
Then, taking a Passover biscuit, He gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is being given on your behalf: this do in remembrance of me."
Then, taking a Passover biscuit, He gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is being given on your behalf: this do in remembrance of me."
Then, taking a Passover biscuit, He gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is being given on your behalf: this do in remembrance of me." He gave them the cup in like manner, when the meal was over. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant ratified by my blood which is to be poured out on your behalf.
He gave them the cup in like manner, when the meal was over. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant ratified by my blood which is to be poured out on your behalf. Yet the hand of him who is betraying me is at the table with me.
There arose also a dispute among them which of them should be regarded as greatest. But He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles are their masters, and those who exercise authority over them are called Benefactors. read more. With you it is not so; but let the greatest among you be as the younger, and the leader be like him who serves. For which is the greater--he who sits at table, or he who waits on him? Is it not he who sits at table? But my position among you is that of one who waits on others. You however have remained with me amid my trials; and I covenant to give you, as my Father has covenanted to give me, a Kingdom-- so that you shall eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom, and sit on thrones as judges over the twelve tribes of Israel. "Simon, Simon, I tell you that Satan has obtained permission to have all of you to sift as wheat is sifted. But *I* have prayed for *you* that your faith may not fail, and you, when at last you have come back to your true self, must strengthen your brethren." "Master," replied Peter, "with you I am ready to go both to prison and to death." "I tell you, Peter," said Jesus, "that the cock will not crow to-day till you have three times denied that you know me."
Then they related what had happened on the way, and how He had been recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
This led to an angry debate among the Jews. "How can this man," they argued, "give us his flesh to eat?" "In most solemn truth I tell you," said Jesus, "that unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no Life in you. read more. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has the Life of the Ages, and I will raise him up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in union with me, and I remain in union with him. As the ever-living Father has sent me, and I live because of the Father, so also he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down out of Heaven; it is unlike that which your forefathers ate--for they ate and yet died. He who eats this bread shall live for ever."
It is the spirit which gives Life. The flesh confers no benefit whatever. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and are Life.
For all this took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled which declares, "Not one of His bones shall be broken."
For all this took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled which declares, "Not one of His bones shall be broken."
and they were constant in listening to the teaching of the Apostles and in their attendance at the Communion, that is, the Breaking of the Bread, and at prayer.
And, day by day, attending constantly in the Temple with one accord, and breaking bread in private houses, they took their meals with great happiness and single-heartedness,
On the first day of the week, when we had met to break bread, Paul, who was going away the next morning, was preaching to them, and prolonged his discourse till midnight.
Get rid of the old yeast so that you may be dough of a new kind; for in fact you *are* free from corruption. For our Passover Lamb has already been offered in sacrifice--even Christ.
In the same way the Lord also directed those who proclaim the Good News to maintain themselves by the Good News.
The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it not mean a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread which we break, does it not mean a joint-participation in the body of Christ?
The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it not mean a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread which we break, does it not mean a joint-participation in the body of Christ?
The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it not mean a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread which we break, does it not mean a joint-participation in the body of Christ?
The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it not mean a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread which we break, does it not mean a joint-participation in the body of Christ? Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; we, all of us, share in that one loaf. read more. Look at the Israelites--the nation and their ritual. Are not those who eat the sacrifices joint-partakers in the altar?
No, but that which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, not to God; and I would not have you have fellowship with one another through the demons. You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons: you cannot be joint-partakers both in the table of the Lord and in the table of demons.
You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons: you cannot be joint-partakers both in the table of the Lord and in the table of demons.
But while giving you these instructions, there is one thing I cannot praise--your meeting together, with bad rather than good results. for, in the first place, when you meet as a Church, there are divisions among you. This is what I am told, and I believe that there is some truth in it. read more. For there must of necessity be differences of opinion among you, in order that it may be plainly seen who are the men of sterling worth among you. When, however, you meet in one place, there is no eating the Supper of the Lord;
When, however, you meet in one place, there is no eating the Supper of the Lord; for it is his own supper of which each of you is in a hurry to partake, and one eats like a hungry man, while another has already drunk to excess.
for it is his own supper of which each of you is in a hurry to partake, and one eats like a hungry man, while another has already drunk to excess.
for it is his own supper of which each of you is in a hurry to partake, and one eats like a hungry man, while another has already drunk to excess. Why, have you no homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you wish to show your contempt for the Church of God and make those who have no homes feel ashamed? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I certainly do not praise you.
Why, have you no homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you wish to show your contempt for the Church of God and make those who have no homes feel ashamed? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I certainly do not praise you. For it was from the Lord that I received the facts which, in turn, I handed on to you; how that the Lord Jesus, on the night He was to be betrayed, took some bread,
For it was from the Lord that I received the facts which, in turn, I handed on to you; how that the Lord Jesus, on the night He was to be betrayed, took some bread, and after giving thanks He broke it and said, "This is my body which is about to be broken for you. Do this in memory of me."
and after giving thanks He broke it and said, "This is my body which is about to be broken for you. Do this in memory of me."
and after giving thanks He broke it and said, "This is my body which is about to be broken for you. Do this in memory of me." In the same way, when the meal was over, He also took the cup. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant of which my blood is the pledge. Do this, every time that you drink it, in memory of me."
In the same way, when the meal was over, He also took the cup. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant of which my blood is the pledge. Do this, every time that you drink it, in memory of me."
In the same way, when the meal was over, He also took the cup. "This cup," He said, "is the new Covenant of which my blood is the pledge. Do this, every time that you drink it, in memory of me." For every time that you eat this bread and drink from the cup, you are proclaiming the Lord's death--until He returns.
For every time that you eat this bread and drink from the cup, you are proclaiming the Lord's death--until He returns.
For every time that you eat this bread and drink from the cup, you are proclaiming the Lord's death--until He returns.
For every time that you eat this bread and drink from the cup, you are proclaiming the Lord's death--until He returns. Whoever, therefore, in an unworthy manner, eats the bread or drinks from the cup of the Lord sins against the body and blood of the Lord.
Whoever, therefore, in an unworthy manner, eats the bread or drinks from the cup of the Lord sins against the body and blood of the Lord.
Whoever, therefore, in an unworthy manner, eats the bread or drinks from the cup of the Lord sins against the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and, having done that, then let him eat the bread and drink from the cup. read more. For any one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgement to himself, if he fails to estimate the body aright.
For any one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgement to himself, if he fails to estimate the body aright.
For any one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgement to himself, if he fails to estimate the body aright.
For any one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgement to himself, if he fails to estimate the body aright. That is why many among you are sickly and out of health, and why not a few die. read more. If, however, we estimated ourselves aright, we should not be judged.
If, however, we estimated ourselves aright, we should not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, chastisement follows, to save us from being condemned along with the world. read more. Therefore, brethren, when you come together for this meal, wait for one another. If any one is hungry, let him eat at home; so that your coming together may not lead to judgement. The other matters I will deal with whenever I come.
For I repeated to you the all-important fact which also I had been taught, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures;
I marvel that you are so readily leaving Him who called you by the grace of Christ, and are adhering to a different Good News. For other "Good News" there is none; but there are some persons who are troubling you, and are seeking to distort the Good News concerning Christ. read more. But if even we or an angel from Heaven should bring you a Good News different from that which we have already brought you, let him be accursed. What I have just said I repeat--if any one is preaching to you a Good News other than that which you originally received, let him be accursed.
Now in connexion with what we have been saying the chief point is that we have a High Priest who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of God's Majesty in the heavens,
It is through that divine will that we have been set free from sin, through the offering of Jesus Christ as our sacrifice once for all.
For by a single offering He has for ever completed the blessing for those whom He is setting free from sin.
Since then, brethren, we have free access to the Holy place through the blood of Jesus, by the new and ever-living way which He opened up for us through the rending of the veil--that is to say, of His earthly nature-- read more. and since we have a great Priest who has authority over the house of God, let us draw near with sincerity and unfaltering faith, having had our hearts sprinkled, once for all, from consciences oppressed with sin, and our bodies bathed in pure water.
I died; but I am now alive until the Ages of the Ages, and I have the keys of the gates of Death and of Hades!
Then, midway between the throne and the four living creatures, I saw a Lamb standing among the Elders. He looked as if He had been offered in sacrifice, and He had seven horns and seven eyes. The last-named are the seven Spirits of God, and have been sent far and wide into all the earth.
Morish
See LORD'S SUPPER.
Watsons
EUCHARIST, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The word, in its original Greek, ??????????, properly signifies giving thanks; from the hymns and thanksgivings which accompanied that holy service in the primitive church. See LORD'S SUPPER.