Jonathan Edwards on the Lord's Supper
Real but spiritual presence, received by faith
Christ presents himself to the believing communicants, as their propitiation and bread of life; and by these outward signs confirms and seals his sincere engagements to be their Saviour and food, and to impart to them all the benefits of his propitiation and salvation.
THE POSITION
The Supper is a mutual covenant transaction: through the minister's words and actions Christ presents himself to believing communicants and seals his engagements, while they profess to receive him. The elements are "outward signs" and "symbols," but the reception is real and is by faith — communicants "feed upon him in their hearts by faith," and only a living faith can "discern the Lord's body ... with that spiritual sensation or spiritual gust" the ordinance is designed for. The 1749 treatise arguing that only those who are "in profession, and in the eye of the church's christian judgment, godly or gracious persons" may be admitted is what cost him the Northampton pulpit the following year.
16 Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
8 OTHERS HOLD THIS
ABOUT THIS FIGURE
New England pastor, revival theologian and philosopher of the First Great Awakening, dismissed from his Northampton pulpit in 1750 over who may come to the Lord's Table. This entry rests on Freedom of the Will (1754), Original Sin (1758), Religious Affections (1746), An Humble Inquiry (1749), Distinguishing Marks (1741), Some Thoughts on the Revival (1742), An Humble Attempt (1747) and A History of the Work of Redemption, read in the Hickman edition.
Cite this page
"Jonathan Edwards on the Lord's Supper", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/edwards/lords-supper (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/edwards/lords-supper).