The Lord's Supper

The Lord’s Supper: Answers to Common Questions addresses the doctrine and practice of the Lord’s Supper, offering a clear introduction to what Scripture teaches about this sacrament and how it has been understood within the Reformed tradition.

Dr. Keith A. Mathison structures this book around frequently asked questions about the Lord’s Supper, covering its definition as a sacrament, the meaning of Jesus’ words of institution, Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians, the nature of Christ’s presence, the relationship between the supper and sacrifice, the proper elements of bread and wine, the frequency of observance, preparation for worthy participation, and the question of children and communion.

Drawing on biblical exegesis, church history, and the Reformed confessional tradition—particularly the Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms—Mathison distinguishes the Reformed understanding of the Lord’s Supper from Roman Catholic, Lutheran, and Zwinglian positions. He explains how the supper functions as a genuine means of grace in which believers spiritually receive and feed upon Christ, rather than merely engaging in subjective recollection. The book addresses both theological and practical questions in accessible language, aiming to help Christians move from routine observance to informed, expectant participation.

Key Themes

• The Lord’s Supper as a real means of grace and spiritual nourishment
• Christ’s real spiritual presence in the sacrament, distinguished from corporeal presence
• The Passover context and its significance for understanding the supper’s institution
• Worthy participation through self-examination, repentance, and faith
• The relationship between sacramental theology and the frequency of observance

Featured Quotes

“Why would we not want to receive as often as possible these gracious benefits offered to us by the Lord?”

“In the Lord’s Supper, there is more going on than meets the eye.”