Question:  Dear Greg,

            Is there a difference between “The Lord’s Supper and Passover” and Communion service?

            Linnie

Answer:  Dear Linnie,

            There is a difference in the way that various Christian denominations administer the Lord’s Supper, how often they offer it, what they believe about the meaning of the elements, who they believe is allowed to partake of it and what they call the service.

            Some believe that the Lord’s Supper should always be with bread and wine (or grape juice).  Some believe that it should be offered weekly as well as at special occasions such as baptisms and marriages.  Some believe that it should be observed monthly, some 3-4 times a year, and some once a year.  Some believe the Lord’s body is literally present in the host or bread or wafers, and some believe the bread only symbolizes the Lord’s body.  Some believe that only those who are baptized members of their church, or only those who believe that the Lord’s body is literally present (they call it the Real Presence) may partake, while others believe all that accept Christ may come to the Lord’s Table.

            Some call it the Lord’s Supper, some call it Communion, some call it the Eucharist, and a few call it the New Testament Passover.  No one can call it the Passover, for the Passover is a Jewish feast, and while the Lord’s Supper is derived from the Passover, Jesus changed the elements of the Passover.  If Christians observe this ceremony following Christ, they should not call what they do the “Passover” because the Jews still celebrate the Passover, and they do not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

            In Christ,

            Greg Albrecht