A Reformed Theology Of The Lord’s Supper

For the Reformed tradition, the bread and wine are signs that point to Christ's spiritual presence, but have no power apart from the accompanying Word of God. Christ is divinely present. However since his ascension, his humanity has been localized in heaven. In order to protect the sovereign freedom of God, Reformed theology resists both Lutheran and Catholic views of the objective efficacy of the sacrament. The Lord's Supper is neither a converting sacrament, nor mere ceremony. It renews and seals Christ's promise to us, exercises Christian's faith, and incites growth in the Christian life. Sign and Substance For the Reformed, Jesus Christ, the sole mediator between God and man, is personally present today, governing and sustaining the church through the Word of God and two sacraments. The sacraments are accessories to the preaching of the Word of God, which establishes the church. Recognizing the believer's anxiety and weakness, God employs these physical signs of grace throughou…