WLC 174

Q174. What is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper in the time of the administration of it?

It is required of them that receive the sacrament of the Lord's supper, that, during the time of the administration of it, with all holy reverence and attention they wait upon God in that ordinance, diligently observe the sacramental elements and actions, heedfully discern the Lord's body, and affectionately meditate on his death and sufferings, and thereby stir up themselves to a vigorous exercise of their graces; in judging themselves, and sorrowing for sin; in earnest hungering and thirsting after Christ, feeding on him by faith, receiving of his fulness, trusting in his merits, rejoicing in his love, giving thanks for his grace; in renewing of their covenant with God, and love to all the saints.

Proof texts

• Lev. 10:3 — [3] Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’” And Aaron held his peace.
• Heb. 12:18 — [18] For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest
• Ps. 5:7 — [7] But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.
• 1 Cor. 11:17,26-27 — [17] But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. [26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. [27] Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.
• Ex. 24:8 — [8] And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “Behold the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.”
• Matt. 26:28 — [28] for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
• 1 Cor. 11:29 — [29] For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
• Luke 22:19 — [19] And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
• 1 Cor. 10:3-5,11,14 — [3] and all ate the same spiritual food, [4] and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. [5] Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. [11] Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. [14] Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
• 1 Cor. 11:26 — [26] For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
• 1 Cor. 11:31 — [31] But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.
• Zech. 12:10 — [10] “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.
• Rev. 22:17 — [17] The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
• John 6:35 — [35] Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
• John 1:16 — [16] For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
• Phil. 1:16 — [16] The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
• Ps. 63:4-5 — [4] So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. [5] My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
• 2 Chr. 30:21 — [21] And the people of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness, and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with all their might to the LORD.
• Ps. 22:26 — [26] The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the LORD! May your hearts live forever!
• Jer. 1:5 — [5] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
• Ps. 1:5 — [5] Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;

For discussion

1. The Assembly cited Lev. 10:3 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
2. 21 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
3. WSC Q88 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
4. WCF 27.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?

Read alongside

WSC Q88 · WCF 27.1 · HC Q65 · BC 8.1 · BC 8.2 · BC 8.3 · 1689 28.1