Subject: Summary of the Lord's Supper (1550) by John Knox
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A Summary, According to the Holy Scriptures,
of the Sacrament of the
Lord's Supper
1550

Extracted from: Selected Writings of John Knox: Public Epistles,
Treatises, and Expositions to the Year 1559

Editor's Note

This brief declaration, although a separate composition, was appended to
Knox's Vindication of the Doctrine that the Sacrice of the Mass is Idolatry
(1550).

A Summary, According to the Holy Scriptures,
of the Sacrament of the
Lord's Supper

Here is briefly declared in a summary, according to the holy scriptures, what
opinion we Christians have of the Lord's Supper, called the sacrament of the
body and blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ.

First, we confess that it is a holy action, ordained of God, in the which the
Lord Jesus, by earthly and visible things set before us, lifts us up unto
heavenly and invisible things. And that when he had prepared his spiritual
banquet, he witnessed that he himself was the lively bread wherewith our souls
are fed unto everlasting life.

And therefore, in setting forth bread and wine to eat and drink, he confirms
and seals up to us his promise and communion (that is, that we shall be
partakers with him in his kingdom); and he represents unto us, and makes plain
to our senses, his heavenly gifts; and also gives unto us himself, to be
received with faith, and not with mouth, nor yet by transfusion of substance;
but so, through the virtue [power] of the Holy Ghost, that we, being fed
with his flesh, and refreshed with his blood, may be renewed both unto true
godliness and to immortality.

And also [we confess] that herewith the Lord Jesus gathered us unto one
visible body, so that we are members one of another, and make altogether one
body, whereof Jesus Christ is the only Head; and, finally, that by the same
sacrament, the Lord calls us to remembrance of his death and passion, to stir up
our hearts to praise his most holy name.

Furthermore, we acknowledge that this sacrament ought to be come unto
reverently, considering there is exhibited and given a testimony of the
wonderful society and knitting together of the Lord Jesus and of the receivers;
and also, that there is included and contained in this sacrament, [a testimony]
that he will preserve his kirk. For herein we are commanded to show the Lord's
death until he come (1 Cor. 11:26).

Also we believe that it is a confession, wherein we show what kind of
doctrine we profess; and what congregation we join ourselves unto; and likewise,
that it is a bond of mutual love amongst us. And, finally, we believe that all
the comers unto this holy Supper must bring with them their conversion unto the
Lord, by unfeigned repentance in faith; and in this sacrament receive the seals
and conrmation of their faith; and yet must in nowise think that for this work's
sake their sins are forgiven.

And as concerning these words, Hoc est corpus meum, "This is my body"
(1 Cor. 11:24; Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22; Luke 22:19), on which the Papists depend
so much, saying that we must needs believe that the bread and wine are
transubstantiated unto Christ's body and blood: we acknowledge [declare]
that it is no article of our faith which can save us, nor which we are bound to
believe upon pain of eternal damnation. For if we should believe that his very
natural body, both flesh and blood, were naturally in the bread and wine, that
should not save us, seeing many believe that, and yet receive it to their
damnation. For it is not his presence in the bread that can save us, but his
presence in our hearts, through faith in his blood, which has washed out our
sins, and pacified his Father's wrath towards us. And again, if we do not
believe his bodily presence in the bread and wine, that shall not damn us, but
the absence out of our hearts through unbelief.

[1]Now, if
they would here object, that though it be truth, that the absence out of the
bread could not damn us, yet are we bound to believe it because of God's word,
saying, "This is my body" (1 Cor. 11:24); which who believes not, as much as in
him lies, makes God a liar; and, therefore of an obstinate mind not to believe
his word, may be our damnation: [2]To this
we answer, that we believe God's word, and confess that it is true, but not so
to be understood as the Papists grossly affirm. For in the sacrament we receive
Jesus Christ spiritually, as did the fathers of the Old Testament, according to
St. Paul's saying (1 Cor. 10:3-4). And if men would well weigh, how that Christ,
ordaining his holy sacrament of his body and blood, spoke these words
sacramentally, doubtless they would never so grossly and foolishly understand
them, contrary to all the scriptures, and to the exposition of St. Augustine,
St. Jerome, Fulgentius, Vigilius, Origen, and many other godly writers.

Notes

1. Marginal note: Objection

2. Marginal note: Answer

Copyright © 1995 by Kevin Reed
Presbyterian Heritage Publications
P.O.
Box 180922
Dallas, Texas 75218

This edition has been edited to reflect contemporary spelling, punctuation,
and grammar. Bracketed words are supplied where needed to complete the sense of
a sentence. Bracketed words in italics are inserted following some
antiquated terms or phrases as a convenience to the modern reader. Therefore,
the words in brackets are not a part of the original text.

This publication has been provided in electronic form for the personal
convenience of our readers. No part of this publication may be transmitted or
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