the Lord's Supper

[ttreg]

what do Lutheran's beleive about the Lord's Supper?

[LilLamb219]

Lutherans believe that the Lord's Supper offers and conveys forgiveness of sins (that was won at the cross), that the body and blood of our Lord is in, with and under the bread and wine (real presence), that it strengthens our faith, and that it is a celebration of Christian fellowship. There are more details, but that is the basic stuff.

[ttreg]

Lutherans believe that the Lord's Supper offers and conveys forgiveness of sins
are u saying that our sins are forgiven when we attend Communion?

[LilLamb219]

It's the same forgiveness that was won at the cross that is given to us when we partake of the Lord's body and blood during communion. It's not something we earn by participating.

This is a copy and paste from a Lutheran website (I'm not sure if I am allowed to give links):
In the words of institution Jesus openly asserts that His blood is being "poured out" (Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24; Luke 22:20) and that His body is being "given" (Luke 22:19). Both terms underscore the sacrificial nature of His death. Further, the words of institution contain the important reference "for many" (Matt. 26:28; Mark 14:24) or "for you" (Luke 22:19). Jesus now presents His body and blood in bread and wine as the means of divine grace "for the forgiveness of sins" (Matt. 26:28). With His body and blood in the sacrament, He thereby bestows all the blessings and benefits of the atonement (Heb. 9:14-16).

[BigNorsk]

are u saying that our sins are forgiven when we attend Communion?

Please, do not think that the Lutheran understanding has anything to do with the Roman Catholic understanding. If what you are thinking is not consistent with the Lutheran concept of faith alone, you are not understanding properly.

Lutheran's do not believe that the Lord's Supper is a work of our's that forgives sins. We do not earn God's grace by participation.

When you look at the Lord's Supper, it is another form of the Gospel message. Jesus' body, given for you. Jesus' blood, shed for you. A person who properly partakes, believes, has faith, that this indeed is the truth. He accepts that our Lord and Savior did indeed suffer and bleed for him, in order to save him, an unworthy sinner, from the proper consequences of his sin.

In the Lord's Supper, Jesus' body and blood and combined in some real, though not explained way, to the bread and wine. Jesus himself performs the miracle through his words, spoken by the pastor. This too is accepted through faith, because our Lord said it is so.

The person receives grace, not because he eats and drinks some bread and wine, but because he has faith that the Gospel is true. Without this faith he can receive no forgiveness of sins, no grace. The source of God's grace is not the bread and wine but the Word of God which unites with the elements.

It fundamentally isn't much different than if you heard the Gospel message from a preacher and you had faith that it was true. God's grace would come to you from His Word through your faith.

It is just another form that reminds us of his sacrifice for us and helps us to remember.

We are united into one church through the body of our Lord, we receive the life of our Lord in the blood.

Since the Lord's Supper is not the only source of grace, it would not be correct to say that one must participate in order to be saved. Baptism and God's Word are other sources of grace. However, it would be very difficult to believe someone is saved who rejects the message of the Lord's Supper for to deny it would be to deny that Christ bled and died for us.

I hope that helps.

Instead of my amateur ramblings, you can read about the Lord's Supper in several places in the Book of Concord at www.bookofconcord.org

Marv

[LutherNut]

The person receives grace, not because he eats and drinks some bread and wine, but because he has faith that the Gospel is true. Without this faith he can receive no forgiveness of sins, no grace. The source of God's grace is not the bread and wine but the Word of God which unites with the elements.

I would add to this that without this faith, the one who receives the Sacrament is in fact committing a sin because he/she would be receiving in an unworthy manner and not discerning the body of the Lord, as St. Paul states in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29.


Jay

[Breetai]

are u saying that our sins are forgiven when we attend Communion?They are also forgiven when we are baptized, when we have faith in Christ, etc. As Christians, our sins are continuously forgiven.

Here is what Luther wrote in his small explaination on the last part of the Apostle's Creed:

I believe that by my own reason or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, and sanctified and preserved me in true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth and preserves it in union with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church he daily and abundantly forgives all my sins, and the sins of all believers...

The 15th chapter of 1 Corintians nails it down pretty good.

[SPALATIN]

When we participate in Communion we are participating in the reality of what Christ did for us on the cross. We again are crucifying him and because of the mercy of the father he extends his Grace on the faithful for continuing to remember that we need to bring our sins to the cross daily and follow him.

[LutherNut]

When we participate in Communion we are participating in the reality of what Christ did for us on the cross. We again are crucifying him and because of the mercy of the father he extends his Grace on the faithful for continuing to remember that we need to bring our sins to the cross daily and follow him.

WHAT??!??! :eek: :eek:

Sounds very Roman Catholic to me!

[Tetzel]

Oooohhhh unbloody sacrifice of the mass! Someone pass me the popcorn!