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The Catechism in Questions & Answers
- Introduction
- Contents
- 472. What are sacraments?
- 473. What is the purpose of the sacraments?
- 474. What comprises a sacrament?
- 475. What is the “sign” in a sacrament?
- 476. What is the “content” in a sacrament?
- 477. Who is the “dispenser” in a sacrament?
- 478. What is the significance of “faith” in a sacrament?
- 479. Which sacraments were instituted by Jesus Christ?
- 480. To whom did Jesus entrust the administration of the sacraments?
- 481. What occurs in Holy Baptism with water?
- 482. What is the meaning of “original sin”?
- 483. What does the water of Holy Baptism signify?
- 484. Are there any references to Holy Baptism with water in the Old Testament?
- 485. Did Jesus also have to be baptised?
- 486. What did Jesus say to His disciples concerning baptism?
- 487. Who can receive Holy Baptism with water?
- 488. How is Holy Baptism with water dispensed?
- 489. Why can children be baptised?
- 490. What are the effects of Holy Baptism with water?
- 491. What is the relationship between Holy Baptism with water and Holy Sealing?
- 492. Who is entitled to perform Holy Baptism with water?
- 493. Are baptisms performed in other Christian denominations valid?
- 494. From what does the term 'Lord's Supper' derive?
- 495. What other designations are used in reference to Holy Communion?
- 496. Is there a relationship between the Passover meal and Holy Communion?
- 497. Is Holy Communion attested anywhere else in the New Testament?
- 498. What do the elements of bread and wine signify?
- 499. What does Holy Communion call to mind for the believer?
- 500. What do those who partake in Holy Communion profess?
- 501. In what way is Holy Communion a meal of fellowship?
- 502. Is there a connection between Holy Communion and the future “marriage feast” in heaven?
- 503. What happens when the wafers are consecrated?
- 504. Is the sacrifice of Jesus Christ present in Holy Communion?
- 505. Why is Holy Communion celebrated in every divine service?
- 506. For how long do the body and blood of Christ remain present in the consecrated wafers?
- 507. What is the relationship between forgiveness of sins and Holy Communion?
- 508. To whom did Jesus Christ entrust the sacrament of Holy Communion?
- 509. What are the words of the consecration for Holy Communion?
- 510. How is Holy Communion celebrated in the divine service?
- 511. What is the prerequisite for worthily partaking in Holy Communion?
- 512. What are the effects of Holy Communion?
- 513. Who is entitled to partake in Holy Communion?
- 514. What is the significance of the communion celebrations of other churches?
- 515. What is Holy Sealing?
- 516. What does the term “sealing” / “sealed” mean in the letters of the New Testament?
- 517. Was the Holy Spirit already active in the time of the Old Testament?
- 518. Does the Old Testament contain any references to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament?
- 519. Did Jesus promise the outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
- 520. When was the promise of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit fulfilled?
- 521. When did the anointing of Jesus with the Holy Spirit occur?
- 522. What is the significance of Jesus’ baptism and subsequent anointing with the Holy Spirit?
- 523. From what does it follow that Holy Baptism with water should precede the receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit?
- 524. What does the book of Acts relate concerning Holy Sealing?
- 525. How is the sacrament of Holy Sealing dispensed?
- 526. What are the prerequisites for receiving the sacrament of Holy Sealing?
- 527. Who can receive the sacrament of Holy Sealing?
- 528. What do we mean by the “rebirth out of water and the Spirit”?
- 529. What is the relationship between Holy Sealing and the rebirth out of water and the Spirit?
- 530. What are the effects of Holy Sealing?
503. What happens when the wafers are consecrated?
The body and blood of Jesus Christ become present in the consecration.
Bread and wine are not changed in their substance through the consecration. In other words, the bread and wine are not transformed. Rather, the substance of the body and blood of Jesus is joined to the bread and wine. This event is described as ‘consubstantiation’.
In Holy Communion, bread and wine are not mere images or symbols for the body and blood of Jesus. Rather, the body and blood of Jesus Christ are truly present after the consecration.
Symbol:
see explanation of Question 498.
The term ‘consecration’ is derived from the Latin word consacrare, which means “to dedicate” or “to sanctify”. The term is used in the sense of “dedication” when bread and wine are consecrated for Holy Communion.
The word ‘substance’ derives from the Latin word substantia, which means “essence”, “constitution”, or “composition”. It thus describes what something consists of.