–> Simple Memorialism:

In Remembrance of Me

The Evangelical position that the Lord’s Supper is a symbolic remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice is perhaps the easiest for a modern thinker to agree with. For those who read the scripture without much intertextual cross-referencing, this view provides the simplest answer — one derived from the immediate context of the Biblical account of the ritual’s first enactment. The account goes something like this…

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He took the bread for dinner and after he had given thanks he tore a piece off and gave it to his students saying, “Here, take this bread and eat it. This is my Body broken for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the wine, gave thanks, and passed the cup around saying, “Take this wine and drink it. This is my Blood poured out for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

When taken in isolation, Christ’s words are very simple. Eat bread. Drink wine. Think of me. There is no denying the symbolic nature of this gesture. He created a ritual whereby His life and story became associated with the staple foods of His people. How could they forget His love if they truly remembered Him every time they ate or drank. Even more so if those who loved Him made a concerted effort to get together and eat in His honor.

This is the simplest explanation for memorialism. Christ said to do this and remember Him… so they do.

Read on for a more in depth, inter-textual explanation of how Christ used this ritual to redefine his culture and build His Church.