The Lord's Supper As the Sign and Meal of the New Covenant

The Lord’s Supper is more than a church tradition or a complex doctrinal controversy—it has practical importance to our daily lives. When Jesus instituted the Supper, it was meant to strengthen the faith of his followers by reminding them of his promises. God has always made promises to his people through covenants, and along with them given signs and meals to point to and confirm his blessings. Looking at the unity of the covenants throughout the Bible, this book will help Christians recover the practical importance of the Lord’s Supper as both a sign and a meal of the new covenant blessings God has bestowed on believers in Christ.

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At the time of the Reformation, more ink was spilled on the doctrine and practice of the Lord’s Supper than on almost any other topic. Most of the debates have yet to be resolved, so what is a Christian to do to gain a better understanding of this sacrament? This concise book by Guy Waters is a helpful place to start. Waters places his discussion of the Supper squarely in the context of the Bible’s teaching about covenants, providing a particularly helpful introduction to the nature of covenant meals.

Keith A. Mathison
Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformation Bible College

Many Christians suffer from a spiritual depth-perception problem or theological myopia when they come to the Lord’s Supper: all they see is bread and wine. Enter Guy Waters, expert spiritual ophthalmologist. In a single consultation he restores our depth perception and reduces our myopia. Perhaps to our surprise, he takes two-thirds of his time patiently guiding us through the pages of the Old Testament. Surely the Lord’s Supper is a new covenant ordinance! But Waters knows what he is doing. Prescribing biblically crafted lenses for us, he shows us the bread and wine again and asks, ‘Do you see more clearly now?’ Read these pages carefully and you will find yourself saying, ‘Yes, it’s so much clearer now. Thank you so much; it’s wonderful!’

Sinclair B. Ferguson
Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary

In a warm and readable style, Guy Waters blesses the church again. By first taking us on an engaging tour of the Bible’s covenants, he sets the table for his central concern―that in the communion meal the people of God ‘truly dine with our covenant Head,’ the Lord Jesus Christ. From beginning to end, the reader will find biblical texts surveyed persuasively, historic theological distinctions tackled thoughtfully, and practical concerns addressed winsomely. Before you next partake of the Lord’s Supper, consume this volume first.

David B. Garner
Vice President for Advancement and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary

Don’t let this volume’s slim size trick you. In it, Guy Waters dispenses a wealth of biblical reflection. Noting the Bible’s covenantal structure and paying attention to the entire biblical canon, he places the Supper of our Lord as the fulfillment of the pattern of God’s condescending to be present with his people and to give them signs of his presence. You may not agree with all of Waters’s conclusions. But everyone will benefit from his engagement with the biblical text and his pastoral reflections on the importance of the Supper for individual believers and the gathered church.

Shawn D. Wright
Professor of Church History, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

In this accessible, biblical-theological approach to the Lord’s Supper, Waters demonstrates the Supper’s integral place in redemptive history and its consequent importance for the life of the church, inasmuch as Christ offers himself as spiritual nourishment to be received through faith. This message needs to be heard and heeded. I hope this book has a wide readership.

Robert Letham
Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Union School of Theology

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The Lord’s Supper As the Sign and Meal of the New Covenant

By Dr. Guy Waters

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