At Kingship Church, we believe the Lord’s Supper is a sacrament— created, instituted, practiced, and commanded by God for His church as a continual observation of Jesus’ redemptive work through his death and sacrifice for us on the cross. The Lord’s Supper was ordained by Jesus and is described in all four gospel accounts (Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19-20, John 6:25-58).
During the Passover meal, the night Jesus was betrayed, Jesus reinterpreted the elements and used both the bread and the cup to symbolize the nearing sacrifice of His body and blood, which extends grace to all those that the Father has given Him in order that they may be restored to the Father (John 6:35-40).
Jesus willingly went to the cross (John 10:18) to establish a New Covenant for us through the substitution of His body sacrificed in our place (Galatians 3:13) and the shedding of His blood; purifying us and forgiving our sins (Hebrews 9:22).
Through the continual participation of the Lord’s Supper, eating the bread and drinking from the cup, together the church is celebrating the seal of His promise in remembrance of Jesus’ atoning death. The marker also provides spiritual nourishment from Christ as both He and His grace are present in this act of worship. Where baptism is a sign of transformation, the Lord’s Supper is a sign of sanctification; being continuously matured into His likeness.
For Kingship, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper each time the local church body comes together, for it is the reason we gather. It is a time of remembrance, examination, and anticipation.
We encourage those who participate:
to reflect on the blessing in what Christ has made possible through His mercy,
to carefully examine your relationship with Him; offering repentance, thanksgiving, and praise,
And to be filled with an eager heart to proclaim Christ until He returns again.
We recognize that there are different views on who can partake of the Lord’s Supper, especially in regards to children. We desire to build up the parents' role in the spiritual development and training of their children, and therefore leave to their discretion when and how their children participate.
The Lord’s table, from which Christ extends us grace that we cannot manifest ourselves, is never made unholy by the presence of a sinner. For Jesus came to save sinners. All who profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are welcomed.
Biblical Reflection:
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.” // Matthew 26:26-29
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. // Luke 22:19-20
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” // John 6:35-40
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