The 39 Articles of Religion: Article XXVIII, Of The Lord's Supper

Old Holy Communion Pall from the Victoria & Albert Museum

This is likely one of the most controversial of all the Articles today because so many people fall into the camp of believing in transubstantiation, which, as the Articles says, "is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture." The first paragraph below is not only well written, but it is also well describes spiritually what happens in Holy Communion. We partake of the Body and Blood, meaning we participate in the efficacy of what Jesus did for us on the cross. The cross stands at the center of our faith, and the Lord's Supper brings it into the center of our worship and fellowship with the Lord and one another. We do not feed on "body and blood;" we participate in the continual effectiveness of what Jesus has accomplished for us.

XVIII. Of the Lord's Supper.

The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another; but rather it is a Sacrament of our Redemption by Christ's death: insomuch that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ.

Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions.

The Body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten, in the Supper, only after an heavenly and spiritual manner. And the mean whereby the Body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is Faith.

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.