Topical Encyclopedia The concept of union with Christ is a profound and central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing the intimate relationship between believers and their Savior. This union is not only spiritual but also sacramental, particularly evident in the observance of the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper, also known as Communion or the Eucharist, is a sacred ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ, serving as a tangible expression of the believer's union with Him.Biblical Foundation The Lord's Supper is rooted in the Last Supper, where Jesus shared a meal with His disciples before His crucifixion. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 , the Apostle Paul recounts this event: "For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night 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, after supper He took the cup, 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 this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes." Spiritual Significance The Lord's Supper is a means by which believers experience and enjoy their union with Christ. It is a time of remembrance, proclamation, and anticipation. By partaking in the bread and the cup, Christians remember the sacrificial death of Jesus and the new covenant established through His blood. This act of remembrance is not merely a mental exercise but a spiritual participation in the body and blood of Christ, as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 10:16 : "Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" Communal Aspect The Lord's Supper also underscores the communal aspect of union with Christ. Believers are united not only with Christ but also with one another as members of His body, the Church. In 1 Corinthians 10:17 , Paul writes, "Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf." This unity is a reflection of the spiritual reality that all who are in Christ are joined together in Him. Spiritual Nourishment Participation in the Lord's Supper provides spiritual nourishment and strength for believers. It is a means of grace through which the Holy Spirit works to deepen the believer's faith and communion with Christ. As Jesus declared in John 6:56 , "Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in him." This abiding presence of Christ in the believer is a source of spiritual vitality and growth. Anticipation of the Heavenly Banquet The Lord's Supper also points forward to the eschatological fulfillment of union with Christ in the heavenly banquet. It is a foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb, where believers will enjoy perfect communion with Christ in His eternal kingdom. Revelation 19:9 proclaims, "Then the angel told me to write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" This future hope encourages believers to live in anticipation of the day when their union with Christ will be fully realized. In summary, the Lord's Supper is a profound expression of the believer's union with Christ, encompassing remembrance, participation, and anticipation. It is a sacred ordinance that nourishes the soul, unites the body of Christ, and points to the glorious future that awaits all who are in Him. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Corinthians 10:16,17The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Communion of Saints. The Presbyterian Church of England. Christ and his Table-Companions "And when the Hour was Come, He ... The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate; The Baptist Confession of 1688. A Question for Communicants Zwingli's Distinctive Doctrines. Where to Find Fruit Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant. The Confession of the Waldenses. AD 1655. Resources What is a Union church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to have union with Christ? | GotQuestions.org What is the hypostatic union? | GotQuestions.org Union: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Union With Christ is Indissoluble Union With Christ: As Head of the Church Union With Christ: Beneficial Results of Abundant Fruitfulness Union With Christ: Beneficial Results of Answers to Prayer Union With Christ: Beneficial Results of Being Created Anew Union With Christ: Beneficial Results of Confidence at his Coming Union With Christ: Beneficial Results of Freedom from Condemnation Union With Christ: Beneficial Results of Freedom from Dominion of Sin Union With Christ: Beneficial Results of Righteousness Imputed Union With Christ: Beneficial Results of The Spirit Alive to Righteousness Union With Christ: Christ Being in Us Union With Christ: Christ Prayed That all Saints Might Have Union With Christ: False Teachers Have Not Union With Christ: Illustrated: Body and Members Union With Christ: Illustrated: Foundation and Building Union With Christ: Illustrated: Husband and Wife Union With Christ: Illustrated: Vine and Branches Union With Christ: Includes Union With the Father Union With Christ: Maintained by Abiding in Him Union With Christ: Maintained by Faith Union With Christ: Maintained by Feeding on Him Union With Christ: Maintained by His Word Abiding in Us Union With Christ: Maintained by Obeying Him Union With Christ: Necessary to Fruitfulness Union With Christ: Necessary to Growth in Grace Union With Christ: Our Being in Christ Union With Christ: Punishment of Those Who Have Not Union With Christ: Saints are Complete Through Union With Christ: Saints: Enjoy, in the Lord's Supper Union With Christ: Saints: Exhorted to Maintain Union With Christ: Saints: Have Assurance of Union With Christ: Saints: Have, in his Death Union With Christ: Saints: Have, in Love Union With Christ: Saints: Have, in Mind Union With Christ: Saints: Have, in Spirit Union With Christ: Saints: Have, in Sufferings Union With Christ: Saints: Identified With Christ By Union With Christ: The Gift of the Holy Spirit is an Evidence of Union With Christ: The Holy Spirit Witnesses Union With Christ: They Who Have, Ought to Walk As he Walked Related Terms |
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