Catechism Question 80
Does the Lord’s Supper add anything to Christ’s atoning work?
No. Christ died once for all, forever completing His atoning work. In the Lord’s Supper His sacrifice is remembered by believers, and they are spiritually strengthened as they receive the meal in faith.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This is the third in a series of questions on the Lord’s Supper. In this question, we see that, contrary to what some have taught, this meal does not add anything to Christ’s atoning work. The Roman Catholic idea of the Mass, that Christ is sacrificed again each time the Eucharist is performed, finds no support in Scripture. Christ was sacrificed once, and that one sacrifice was sufficient for all time. The Lord’s Supper is not a re-sacrifice of Christ, but a time when believers remember His once for all sacrifice and are spiritually strengthened as they receive the elements in faith and are united to Christ and all of His saving benefits.
This question is showing us that the benefits of this meal are not found in something new that it does, but in the fact that it nourishes us through what was done by Christ long ago. Further, it prepares us for the coming questions regarding the nature of how we “feed” upon Christ, and the importance of properly receiving the elements.
Additional Questions:
What happens when we eat the Lord’s Supper? Is Christ sacrificed again?
Is Christ sacrificed again when we observe the Lord’s Supper? What then happens to believers?
Scripture References:
John 19:28–30
Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” 29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
1 Peter 3:18
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…
Hebrews 1:3
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 9:25–28
Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. 26 Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.
Hebrews 10:11–14
Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why is it important to understand that Christ is not sacrificed each time we take the Eucharist? What does the writer to the Hebrews indicate it would say about the value of Christ’s sacrifice if he had to offer it more than once?
When Jesus says “It is finished!” on the cross, to what was He referring? What exactly was finished and completed?
If Christ is not sacrificed when we take the Supper, does this mean there is no benefit to taking the meal many times? What happens to a believer when they remember Christ’s once for all sacrifice as they come to the Lord’s Table?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 80 of the Heidelberg Catechism, and question 47 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For further information, see the teachings “The Thanksgiving Meal” (August 19, 2012), and “Communion” (June 3, 2012), and “Christ and the Sacrificial Aspect of the Law” (May 16, 2004).
Suggested Worship Song:
Behold the Lamb (The Communion Hymn) (Keith and Kristyn Getty & Stuart Townend)
(This song reminds us that it is not the Lord’s Supper itself that brings forgiveness, but rather the death of Christ to which the Table points.)
Behold the Lamb who bears our sins away,
Slain for us – and we remember
The promise made that all who come in faith
Find forgiveness at the cross.
So we share in this bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of peace
Around the table of the King.
The body of our Savior Jesus Christ,
Torn for you – eat and remember
The wounds that heal, the death that brings us life
Paid the price to make us one.
So we share in this bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of love
Around the table of the King.
The blood that cleanses every stain of sin,
Shed for you – drink and remember
He drained death’s cup that all may enter in
To receive the life of God.
So we share in this bread of life,
And we drink of His sacrifice
As a sign of our bonds of grace
Around the table of the King.
And so with thankfulness and faith we rise
To respond, – and to remember
Our call to follow in the steps of Christ
As His body here on earth.
As we share in His suffering
We proclaim Christ will come again!
And we’ll join in the feast of heaven
Around the table of the King