Catechisma

Lord’s Day 30

Q80. How is the Lord's Supper different from the Roman Catholic Mass?

The Lord's Supper tells us that our sins have been completely forgiven through Jesus Christ's one sacrifice on the cross, once for all. It also tells us that the Holy Spirit joins us to Christ, who in his human body is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father, where he wants us to worship him.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

1

Hebrews 7:27

Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.

Hebrews 9:12, 25–28

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption . Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others; For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 10:10–18

By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once . And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these no more offering for sin.

John 19:30

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

2

1 Corinthians 6:17

But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

1 Corinthians 10:16–17

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

3

Acts 7:55–56

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

Hebrews 1:3

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

Hebrews 8:1

Now of the things which we have spoken the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;

4

Matthew 6:20–21

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

John 4:21–24

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.

Philippians 3:20

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Colossians 3:1–3

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Parent Guide

Discuss this question together

Discussion Questions

  1. 1

    What does this answer say about how many times Christ needed to sacrifice himself?

  2. 2

    Where is Christ's human body right now, and why does that matter for how we worship him?

  3. 3

    How does knowing that Christ's sacrifice happened once for all give you confidence?

Illustration

If a debt is paid in full, you do not keep making payments. The receipt proves it is done. Christ's death on the cross was the full payment for sin. The Lord's Supper is not a new sacrifice. It is more like holding up the receipt and saying: look, the debt has been paid completely.

Application

When doubts come this week about whether you are forgiven, remind yourself that Christ said "It is finished." His one sacrifice was enough. The Supper exists to assure you of that, not to repeat it.