Introduction

Have you ever seen the gospel on display? Before your eyes? In today’s world, where sermons and songs proclaim God’s Word, we sometimes forget that God also intends His truth to be visible.

The tangible proclamation of Scripture has been a cornerstone of worship for God’s people throughout history. From the Passover lamb’s blood marking Israel’s deliverance (Exodus 12:13) to Jesus lifting the cup and declaring, “This is my blood of the covenant” (Matthew 26:28), God ordained physical signs to embody His redemptive story. As Paul urged the Corinthians, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). The Lord’s Supper is not intended to be a silent ritual. It is the gospel made visible to the gathered church.

Seeing gospel unity in the Lord’s Supper, reminds us that we are united with Him, and one another, by His broken body and shed blood.

Old Testament Foundations

God’s use of visual symbols to convey spiritual truth permeates Scripture. These are just some, relevant examples:

• The blood on doorposts from the passover lamb (Exodus 12:13) prefigured Christ’s atoning sacrifice, making salvation visible to Israel.
• God’s provision of manna from heaven in the Wilderness (Exodus 16:4), foreshadowed Christ, who is the true bread (John 6:32-33).
• Israel saw God and ate a covenant meal in His presence on Sinai (Exodus 24:11), anticipated fellowship restored through Christ.

In each, God linked physical sight to spiritual reality—a pattern fulfilled in the Lord’s Supper.

New Testament Practice

The Lord’s Supper as an institution reveals its purpose as a visible proclamation:

• Matthew records Jesus transforming ordinary elements into sacred signs of His sacrifice, commanding repetition. Jesus taking bread, said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And taking a cup, said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant” (Matthew 26:26-28).
• Mark emphasises the poured-out blood, a visceral image of substitutionary atonement. Jesus broke the bread and said, “Take; this is my body.” And then later, “This is my blood of the covenant, poured out for many” (Mark 14:22-24).
• Luke grounds the Lord’s Supper in covenantal renewal, linking it to Jeremiah 31:31’s promise, and transforming the bread and wine into enduring signs of His covenant. Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me… …This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:19-20).
• John’s Gospel, theological in nature, contains the foundational principles for the Lord’s Supper. Though not the institution narrative, Jesus’ teaching establishes the Lord’s Supper as a visible enactment of union with Christ. Jesus said, “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53-56).
• The Corinthian church’s divisions exposed their failure to see the body of Christ visibly displayed in shared elements and mutual love. So Paul brings correction to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).
• Paul also makes the point that each observance rehearses the gospel’s core, Christ’s death, our unity in Him, and His promised return (1 Corinthians 11:26).

The Lord’s Supper makes the invisible gospel tangible.

How we see the Word in worship

The Lord’s Supper isn’t just about eating or drinking; it’s about proclaiming the gospel by declaring our unity with Jesus, and with one another. Here are ways we see the Word:

• The Bible does not instruct us how often we should take the Lord’s Supper. At Benoni Baptist Church we generally take the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday morning of the month.
• We take communion as a church. The repeated refrain at the beginning of 1 Corinthians 11:17-22, and the end of 1 Corinthians 11:33-34, is when you come together. We take communion in person, when the church gathers for corporate worship.
• We take communion in worship services. 1 Corinthians 10-14 is a series of instructions of how believers are to conduct themselves during corporate worship. We take communion during corporate worship, not in Bible studies, online, or during other activities.
• We prepare the table. Because the elements themselves are intended to be visual representations, we simplify the table for the Lord’s Supper. No floral arrangements or decorations. We do all we can to accentuate the elements. This encourages us to fix our mind’s eye on Christ’s sacrifice alone, the bread and the cup being the visible focal points.
• We prepare the bread from single pieces of unleavened bread, symbolising our unity (1 Corinthians 10:17) with one another, and the sinless of Christ’s sacrifice.
• We have a short communion message. This is to focus our attention on the gospel themes, and to instruct, over time, the weightiness of the Lord’s Supper.
• Members handle the elements. The function of distributing the elements is not a reserved role for the pastors, or the elders, or for deacons. Rather, this role is shared amongst the congregation, a visible enactment of the priesthood of all believers.
• We fence the table to believers. Because community is meant to convey unity for Christ, it’s right that only those who have placed their faith in Jesus take it.
• We fence the table to the repentant. Because community is meant to convey unity with one another, it’s right that only those who are in good standing with their local church take it.
• We fence the table to those who understand what they are participating in. As such, we ask members to exercise authority over their believing children. It would be wise for parents to seek pastoral wisdom before allowing their children to participate in the Lord’s Supper.
• While the elements are distributed the congregation is encouraged to spend time quietly confessing there own sin, examining themselves in repentance and reverence.
• Before we partake in the elements we say a short prayer of thanksgiving. The Greek word eucharisteō, where we get the English word eucharist from, means thanks.
• We do not sing a song while the elements are distributed. We do not want to distract people from the confessional time.
• The congregation is to wait when they receive the elements so we can partake together.
• Question 95: What are the outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption? Answer: The outward and ordinary means by which Christ communicates to us the benefits of redemption are his ordinances, especially the Word, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper and Prayer; all of which are made effectual to the elect for salvation. Scripture: Romans 10:17; James 1:18; 1 Corinthians 3:5; Acts 14:1; 2:41, 42.
• Question 98: How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effective means of salvation? Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper become effective means of salvation [this old term is better read as means of grace], not from any virtue in them or in him that administers them, but only by the blessing of Christ, and the working of his Spirit in those who by faith receive them. Scripture: 1 Peter 3:21; 1 Corinthians 3:6, 7; 12:13.
• Question 99: How do Baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ from the other ordinances of God? Answer: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper differ from the other ordinances of God in that they were specially instituted by Christ to represent and apply to believers the benefits of the new covenant by visible and outward signs. Scripture: Acts 22:16; Matthew 26:26-28; 28:19; Romans 6:4.
• Question 105: What is the visible church? Answer: The visible church is the organized society of professing believers, in all ages and places, wherein the gospel is truly preached and the ordinances of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper administered in true faith. Scripture: Acts 2:42; 20:7; 7:38; Ephesians 4:11, 12.
• Question 107: What is the Lord’s Supper? Answer: The Lord’s Supper is a holy ordinance of the church. By eating bread and drinking the cup according to Christ’s appointment we show forth his death. Those who eat and drink in a worthy manner partake of Christ’s body and blood, not physically, but spiritually in that by faith they are nourished with the benefits he purchased, and grow in grace. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 10:16.
• Question 108: What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord’s Supper? Answer: It is required of those who would worthily (that is, suitably) partake of the Lord’s Supper, that they examine themselves–of their knowledge, that they discern the Lord’s body; their faith, that they feed upon him; and their repentance, love, and new obedience; lest, coming unworthily, they eat and drink judgment to themselves. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:8; 11:27-31; 2 Corinthians 13:5.

Your unity shouts His victory during the Lord’s Supper.

Some practical considerations

• As our congregation has grown a tension has developed between creating time for adequate confession, and distribution of the elements in a timely fashion. While it is preferable to distribute the elements one at a time, it is not necessary. And so the communion leader may choose whether or not to distribute the elements together, or one at a time.

Why this matters

1. Truth anchored in sight — The Lord’s Supper guards against abstract faith it places the cross before our eyes.
2. Unity made visible — Sharing one loaf and cup shows our reconciliation (Ephesians 2:13-16).
3. Gospel proclamation — As unbelievers witness our reverence, they see Christ’s lordship over us (1 Corinthians 14:24-25).
4. Self-Examination — The elements prompts sober reflection, seeing our need for continual grace (1 Corinthians 11:28).

Conclusion

The Lord’s Supper is where the Word becomes visible. As we take the bread and cup, we do more than remember—we see the gospel enacted. Let us approach this ordinance with awe, ensuring our actions proclaim: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.” In a world starved for hope, may our unity at the table declare His victory with unmistakable clarity.

More from this series

The elements of worship

Guidelines for serving