The Sacrament of the Altar

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The body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ, is given to us though the holy sacrament of communion. The Lutheran confessions practice two sacraments, baptism and Holy Communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or the Sacrament of the Altar (198, Luther’s Small Catechism). “A sacrament is a sacred act instituted by God, in which God Himself has joined His Word of promise to a visible element, and by which He offers, gives, and seals the forgiveness of sins earned by Christ” (197, Luther’s Small Catechism). According to Lutheran teaching, the sacraments are acts performed by Christ and related to a divine promise. Having faith in God and Lutheran beliefs is necessary for receiving the sacrament. Martin Luther wrote an explanation of these sacraments in The Small Catechism. Along with baptism and Holy Communion, he explains The Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed, and The Lord’s Prayer (Worship Facts). Luther’s Small Catechism speaks of what Holy Communion is, where it is written, what the benefits are, how it can do great things, and who worthily receives this sacrament (28-29, Luther’s Small Catechism). Partaking in Holy Communion is important in the Lutheran religion in order to show faith and receive Christ’s own body and blood.

Holy Communion is the practice of eating the bread and drinking the wine at the altar, which represents the body and blood of Jesus Christ (227, Luther’s Small Catechism). The true body of Christ is provided to Lutherans though bread that was broken by His own hands and given to His disciples during the last supper. He also provided the disciples with wine that symbolized His true blood, which was shed for all sinners on the cross. Just like the disciples, Christians who follow God’s word a...

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