Lord's Supper

Definition and Meaning

The Lord's Supper (Korean seongchan, "holy meal") is the rite in which the bread and the cup are shared in remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, that is, his death on the cross. It is also called Holy Communion, the Eucharist, or the Communion service. Protestants generally regard baptism and the Lord's Supper as the two sacraments (holy rites instituted directly by Christ). Some denominations, such as the Baptists, use the term "ordinance" (a rite that believers are commanded to observe) instead of "sacrament."

Biblical and Historical Background

The Gospels record that on the night before his arrest Jesus ate a meal with his disciples, broke the bread and said, "This is my body," and then shared the cup (Matthew 26:26–28; Luke 22:19–20). Paul relates this account in 1 Corinthians 11:23–26, together with the words "this do in remembrance of me," and in 1 Corinthians 11:28 he urges believers to examine themselves before eating. The early church made gathering to break bread central to its life of faith (Acts 2:42).

Since the Reformation, views have differed on how Christ is present in the bread and the cup. The main positions are as follows:

• Roman Catholic Church: Holds that the substance of the bread and wine is changed into the body and blood of Christ (transubstantiation).
• Martin Luther: Held that Christ is truly present together with the bread and wine.
• Ulrich Zwingli: Emphasized the Supper as a memorial of Christ's death.
• John Calvin: Held that Christ is spiritually present through the Holy Spirit.

These positions are discussed in more detail in the article Eucharistic controversies.

Practice in Korean Churches

• Frequency: Many churches celebrate the Lord's Supper several times a year, either on church festivals such as Easter, Christmas, and Thanksgiving or once each quarter. Some churches observe it monthly. The Anglican Church of Korea celebrates the Eucharist every week as the center of its Sunday worship.
• Officiant: In most denominations an ordained pastor presides. Elders or deacons assist in distributing the bread and the cup. In Presbyterian churches, the administration of the sacraments falls under the jurisdiction of the session.
• Eligibility: Presbyterian churches generally admit only baptized members; those who received infant baptism may participate after confirmation. Baptist churches often restrict participation, as a matter of principle, to believers who have received baptism by immersion. Some churches open the Lord's Supper to all who believe in Christ, regardless of whether they have been baptized, so practice varies from church to church even within the same denomination.
• Bread and cup: In keeping with the tradition of abstinence from alcohol, most Korean Protestant churches use grape juice instead of wine. The Anglican Church and some others use wine.
• Preparation and debate: Participants often set aside time to examine themselves and repent before receiving the Lord's Supper. During the COVID-19 pandemic, denominations debated whether to permit online Communion.