The Lord's Supper: A Reformed View

The Lord's Supper (or the Eucharist) is one of the chief points of division among Christians of different church traditions. Protestants are often seen as having a lower view of the Lord's Supper, in contrast to the non-Protestant traditions. But historical Protestant views are more complicated. Here I offer an overview of a Reformed view of the Lord's Supper, drawing from five observations of Thomas Watson's helpful book on this topic.

Truth Unites is a mixture of apologetics and theology, with an irenic focus.

Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai.

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PODCAST:

00:00 - Introduction
03:36 - The Centrality of the Lord's Supper
06:56 - The Mysteriousness of the Lord's Supper
09:40 - The Realism of the Lord's Supper
14:00 - The Conditions of the Lord's Supper
16:29 - The Value of the Lord's Supper

[brianellis]

Thomas Cranmer's great treatise called " The Defence of the True and Catholic Doctrine of the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ" is also a great explanation in a polemical sense of a Reformed perspective on the Lord's Supper. This was presented liturgically especially in the 1552 Book of Common Prayer and dogmatically in Article XXVIII of the Thirty Nine Articles. I suspect that Watson's book is more easily understood than Cranmer's, but they both appear to convey similar views.

[coryc]

This inspired me to ask my pastors to discuss the possibility of weekly communion at our church! I'm excited, please pray that we can do it! ❤️🕯️

[Brett.Crealy-khsk]

Our fellowship (Protestant, though i never truly understood that label, but now thanks to Gavin i do) partakes & teaches on the Lords Supper every week, i can't imagine worship without it! 🙏

Though I've never heard the term 'Real Presence' before finding Dr Gavins channel, when ever i partake in The Lords Supper, i see His broken Body and spilt Blood and recieve Him and His benefits in it..

Simultaneously, I am also, in that moment, of the deep understanding that His broken Body & Atoning Blood given to all who love Him (all over the world), makes us one in Him, cleansed together, fitted together..

It is always a very intimate and very sacred moment for me..

I am always penitent in that moment, always being conscious of His Presence, very conscious of His Holy Spirit, and conscious of the eyes of Our Heavenly Father being on me, knowing my heart..

There are times when i simply can't partake, considering that my heart is not right in that moment, and that i need to attend to something that disqualifies me at that moment, some division between me and a Brother or Sister, or something else like that..

That time with the Lord in His Presence is never taken lightly by me.. it is a profound and intimate moment for me..🙏

[feliznojazz]

oh my... I just cried when you said "drink the wine, ma`m. It is for sinners. Christ's mercy always make my heart melts.

[ReformationHomested]

I grew up in a purely memorialist tradition. I’ve been comfortably in the reformed camp of soteriology, ecclesiasology, and baptism for a while. This has helped me understand more of what I’m realizing I do believe regarding the Lords Table.

[sosad]

I've been a born again Believer for more than 30 years. I'm no scholar, but I do love the Word. The Holy Spirit is always with us, but there is an extra special presence when we gather to together for the Lord's Supper. How it happens is a mystery, but there is a deeper communion when we all meditate on Christ and his sacrifice at the same time. I like the notion that we are in a sense, transported to the throne room of God.

[TheAndreas]

Thank you for this, Gavin! I come from a Lutheran perspective and have thought too lowly of how real you view the presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper. It's a pleasant surprise to hear you be so clear about this: We receive Christ!

[Brett.Crealy-khsk]

Appreciating your teaching channel Brother.. 🙏

[suzy-oj]

I can’t express what a blessing it has been to me to come across your videos on the Lord’s Supper. I go to a Protestant non-denominational church and we have never had this teaching but the Lord spoke to one of the elders of my previous church in a housegroup meeting years ago and said He desired us to have Communion because it was a way of having intimacy with Him. I never understood this until I came across you on the Beckett Cook show and started watching your videos.

[chamberlineowen]

Thank you very much, i was just thinking about introducing it weekly to my congregation. Hoping that it would help communicate the mystical and spiritual feasting of our Lord and king in a more profound way . Thank you for your message of love to God’s people. God bless you. Amen

[ilocosrugnao]

Thank you for all your efforts, I'm a reformed.Baptist and you have been very helpful in so many areas

[missouriblake]

I had no clue that so many protestant groups historically held such a high view of communion.Your videos like this on communion help me understand the depth of this beautiful gift from Jesus. Thanks.

[jennyniemi]

Thank you for this! I definitely want to read Watson’s book now. I totally got teary eyed at the end. Those last 2 quotes you cited were excellent. Reminded me of a lot of
your brother Dane’s book Gentle & Lowly (which I love!)- the idea of how it is precisely when we are sick with sin that we move toward Christ and not away from him. His heart for sinners and sufferers is that of gentle and lowly.
P.s. I agree with the others who said that it would be really cool to hear a discussion on the Supper with you and Dr Jordan Cooper.😊

[jamestrotter]

I love and appreciate your insight brother. Many times the Lord has used you to help keep me grounded.

[carolynbillington]

beautiful teaching--God bless all you do

[GabrielMartinez-sudi]

I so appreciated this. I have been reading this same book recently. Thanks for posting!

[nickswoboda]

I love how you ended the video with a strong emphasis on the grace Jesus offers in the Supper to all Christians who come to the table in faith… even mustard seed faith.

[jgiaq]

Can't wait to listen - been excited for this one for a long time!

[jonathanfraires]

Amazing explanation. Very enlightening. 
I am a Pentecostal minister (Assemblie of God) from Brazil, and I have learned a lot from all of your videos. 
Thanks and keep up the great work.

[fletcher]

Thank you, Pastor. I have been pondering this topic for months. You helped me work through it.