Q: Is it correct to refer to the New Testament Passover as the Lord's Supper?

Published: March 28th, 2008

The use of the term "Lord's Supper" for our observance of the New Testament Passover is not biblical--and it only adds to the confusion surrounding the CORRECT observance of the New Testament Passover.

We pointed out the following in a previous Q&A (Update #88; compare also Update #189, under "Feasts"):

Q: Would you please explain Christ's saying in Matthew 26:26-28? Didn't Jesus clearly say that the wine and bread "are" His blood and body; therefore, aren't those correct who believe in the dogma of "transubstantiation"--that is, that every time when we eat the sacrificial bread and drink the sacrificial wine, that bread and wine change into the body and blood of Christ?

Published: April 18th, 2008

First of all, we need to understand that the Bible commands God's disciples to eat a piece of unleavened bread and drink a small portion of red wine ONCE a year--at the annual festival of Passover. When Jesus instituted the new symbols of bread and wine, replacing thereby the Old Testament Passover lamb, He did so during the evening of Passover (Matthew 26:18-20; compare Luke 22:11-20). Christ did not teach that we should partake of the symbols of bread and wine, in memory of His Sacrifice, any time we please. It is to be observed annually--once a year (compare Leviticus 23:4-5).