Q. 75
How does the Lord's Supper signify and seal to you that you share in Christ's one sacrifice on the cross and in all his gifts?
A.
In this way: Christ has commanded me and all believers to eat of this broken bread and to drink of this cup in remembrance of him. He has thereby promised, first, that his body was offered and broken on the cross for me and his blood poured out for me as certainly as I see with my eyes that the bread of the Lord is broken for me and the cup is given to me. Second, that he himself nourishes and refreshes my soul to everlasting life with his crucified body and shed blood as surely as I receive from the hand of the minister and taste with my mouth the bread and the cup of the Lord, which are given to me as sure signs of Christ's body and blood.
Scripture Matthew 26:26-28 · 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 · 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Q. 76
What does it mean to eat the crucified body of Christ and to drink his shed blood?
A.
First, to accept with a believing heart all the suffering and death of Christ, and so to receive forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Second, to be united more and more to his sacred body through the Holy Spirit, who lives both in Christ and in us. Therefore, although Christ is in heaven and we are on earth, yet we are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone, and we forever live and are governed by one Spirit, as the members of our body are by one soul.
Scripture John 6:35-58 · 1 Corinthians 12:13 · Ephesians 5:29-30
Q. 77
Where has Christ promised that he will nourish and refresh believers with his body and blood as surely as they eat of this broken bread and drink of this cup?
A.
In the institution of the Lord's Supper: The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
Scripture 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 · 1 Corinthians 10:16-17