Theology on the Lighter Side – Why do Reformed people call Holy Communion, “The Lord’s Supper?” – They can’t spell Eucharist.
This joke touches the surface of a deeper issue in Christian theology. Though much of the symbolism is similar, the underlying meaning of the Catholic Eucharist is very different than the Protestant Communion (or Lord’s Supper) ordinance.
Both the Eucharist and Communion involve reminding congregants of the sacrifice of Christ in the shedding of body and blood on the cross as payment for our sins. The major (though there are other minor) disagreement between Catholics and Protestants involves the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation (details here), which is a belief that the wine (typically fermented for Catholics and grape juice for Protestants) actually becomes the blood of Christ, and the bread becomes His body.
From the Protestant reformation forward, the view of Biblical Christianity is that this is a symbolic tradition and not a repetitive sacrificing of Jesus’ body and blood. Roman Catholicism leaves one with the impression that the Eucharist is a necessary part of the outward demonstration of one’s salvation, one of the aspects of a works-based theology.
As a Biblical Christian, we are saved by grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
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