_What is the Lord's Supper?_
It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, under bread and
wine, instituted by Christ Himself for Christians to eat and to drink.
_Repeat the Words of Institution._
="Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the night in which He was betrayed, took
bread, and when He had given thanks, He brake it and gave it to His
disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body, which is given for you;
this do in remembrance of me.=
="After the same manner, also, when He had supped, He took the cup,
and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all
of it; this cup is the New Testament in my blood, which is shed for
you, and for many, for the remission of sins; this do, as oft as ye
drink it, in remembrance of me."=
_What benefit do we have from the Lord's Supper?_
It is shown 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.
_How can bodily eating and drinking do such great things?_
It is not the eating and drinking, indeed, that does it, but the words
which stand here: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins."
These words, together with the bodily eating and drinking, are the
chief thing in the sacrament; and He that believes these words, has
what they say and mean, namely, the forgiveness of sins.
_Who, then, receive this sacrament worthily?_
Fasting and bodily preparation are indeed a good outward practise;
But he alone is truly worthy and well prepared, who believes these
words: "Given and shed for you, for the remission of sins."
But he who believes not these words is unworthy and unprepared. The
words, "=for you=" require truly believing hearts.