Worship, Revised and Expanded Edition: Reformed according to Scripture

by Hughes Oliphant Old

Calvin’s writings on eucharistic theology always gave ample attention to this subject. He understood quite well how often in the Scriptures the sharing of a meal was the way an agreement was sealed. As Calvin understood it, the proclamation of the covenant promises at the celebration of Communion was an essential element of the service. Calvin reminds us of the teaching of Augustine that the sacraments are the visible words of God. The celebration should always include teaching, so that what is seen might be understood. It was important that the covenant promises be understood, because in the sharing of the bread and the cup the covenant promises were sealed. Calvin tells us that our Lord clearly had this in mind when he said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (1 Cor. 11:25). It is clear from this, Calvin tells us, that the signs of bread and wine are the signs of the covenant he has made with us.3 For Calvin, sharing in the Communion seals to us the promises proclaimed in the preaching of the Word.