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The Catechism of the New Apostolic Church
- Contents
- 8.2.1 Designations for the sacrament
- 8.2.2 Old Testament references to Holy Communion
- 8.2.3 Jesus' miracles of feeding and Holy Communion
- 8.2.4 The Passover meal
- 8.2.5 The institution of Holy Communion by Jesus Christ
- 8.2.6 Holy Communion in the first epistle to the Corinthians
- 8.2.7 The significance of bread and wine
- 8.2.8 Holy Communion as a meal of remembrance
- 8.2.9 Holy Communion as a meal of profession
- 8.2.10 Holy Communion as a meal of fellowship
- 8.2.11 Holy Communion as an eschatological meal
- 8.2.12 The real presence of the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion
- 8.2.13 The real presence of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion
- 8.2.14 The relationship between forgiveness of sins and Holy Communion
- 8.2.15 Holy Communion and the Apostle ministry
- 8.2.16 The words of consecration in Holy Communion
- 8.2.17 The celebration and receiving of Holy Communion
- 8.2.18 The prerequisites for partaking in Holy Communion
- 8.2.19 The manner in which Holy Communion is received
- 8.2.20 The effects of Holy Communion
- 8.2.21 Eligibility for partaking in Holy Communion
- 8.2.22 Communion celebrations of the churches
8.2.1 Designations for the sacrament
There are various designations for the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, which emphasise different aspects of the sacrament:
"Holy Communion" refers to the sacrament's historical institution by Jesus Christ in fellowship with His Apostles on the evening before His crucifixion.
The term "Eucharist" derives from the Greek eucharistein, meaning "to give thanks". Jesus Christ gave thanks to God when He instituted Holy Communion (Luke 22: 19). The giving of thanks in Holy Communion calls believers to an all-encompassing gratitude, in particular for the sacrifice and merit of Jesus Christ, but also for redemption and sanctification.
"Lord's Supper" is a designation for Holy Communion which draws attention to the fact that Jesus is the Lord (see 3.4.6.2) and that, in this capacity, He has instituted it and invites us to celebrate it.
"Breaking of bread" refers to the Passover meal which Jesus Christ celebrated when He instituted Holy Communion (Matthew 26: 26). That the breaking of bread was an identifying feature of Jesus can be seen from the fact that the disciples travelling to Emmaus thereby recognised the Risen One (Luke 24: 13-31). The early Christians referred to their meal fellowships as "breaking of bread", through which their unity and fellowship was brought to expression (Acts 2: 42, 46).