The Lord's Supper and the Church's Covenant Identity
Orientation
A common assumption is that celebrating the Lord's Supper makes the Church a direct partaker of the New Covenant promised to Israel.
- The Last Supper was instituted during Passover with unregenerate disciples under the old covenant framework.
- The New Covenant is explicitly made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jeremiah 31:31).
- This assumption, while common, obscures the distinct and glorious identity of the Church in Christ.
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: (Jeremiah 31:31)
— Jeremiah 31:31
Clarification
The Church celebrates the Lord's Supper not as a covenant meal with Israel, but as the fellowship of Christ's one Body in resurrection life.
- We gather on the first day of the week, the day of resurrection and new creation, not the Sabbath (Acts 20:7).
- Paul's revelation shows we are one bread, one Body, joined to Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).
- The same blood of Christ secures all covenants, but the Church's relationship is through union with Christ, the heir.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
— 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Structure
Biblical logic distinguishes Israel's New Covenant from the Church's participation in the Everlasting Covenant through union with Christ.
- The Synoptic Gospels present Jesus as minister to Israel, confirming kingdom promises (Romans 15:8).
- John's Gospel and Paul's revelation focus on the mystery of union with Christ, omitting the New Covenant institution.
- The Everlasting Covenant (Hebrews 13:20) is between Father and Son; the Church shares in it as co-heirs with Christ.
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, (Hebrews 13:20)
— Hebrews 13:20
Weight-Bearing Prose
The theological assertion is clear: the Church is not a party to the New Covenant made with Israel. The Lord’s Supper, as revealed to Paul, declares our identity as the one Body of Christ. Our participation is in the benefits of Christ’s blood, which is the singular basis for both the New Covenant (for Israel) and the Everlasting Covenant (between Father and Son). We are testament heirs, not covenant partners. This distinction is not a matter of receiving less, but of occupying a higher, heavenly position. We stand in Christ’s resurrection, representing Him and testifying to His death until He comes. The objection that this somehow diminishes our blessing fails to see that union with Christ, the heir of all things, is the totality of our inheritance. Pauline categories of the Body, the mystery, and co-heirship define us, not Israel’s covenantal framework.
Integration
Your assurance and identity are anchored in Christ alone, not in correctly parsing covenants. You are secure in Him. The Lord’s Table is your fellowship in His blood and flesh, a regular reminder that you are joined to the Risen Christ. There is no pressure to advance into a ‘deeper’ covenant understanding to secure your standing. You are already a co-heir, participating in the everlasting covenant through union with the Son. This truth is meant to stabilize and assure, not to create a new hierarchy of knowledge. Rest in Christ. He is your portion, your inheritance, and your life. The Supper proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes—it is about Him and your union with Him, a reality that is yours by faith.