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Words of Institution

Words of Institution: Encyclopedia - Words of Institution

The words of institution are the words of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament used in some forms of Christian liturgy to consecrate the Eucharist. Specifically, they are the words "This is my body" and "This is my blood." The Words of Institution are present in almost all known liturgies of the Christian church, and the most common formulation is the expanded text from Paul, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV): "For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jes ...

Words of Institution: Encyclopedia - Words of Institution

Words of Institution

The words of institution are the words of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament used in some forms of Christian liturgy to consecrate the Eucharist. Specifically, they are the words "This is my body" and "This is my blood."

The Words of Institution are present in almost all known liturgies of the Christian church, and the most common formulation is the expanded text from Paul, as recorded in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (ESV):

"For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, 'This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

The Roman Catholic Church has considered the Words of Institution to be the necessary and sufficient sacramental form for the Eucharist. Orthodox Christianity, however, generally believes that the Epiclesis to be a required part of the sacramental form.

In recent years, Rome's acceptance of the Anaphora of Addai and Mari would seem to imply a softening of their position. For, in its pure form, the Liturgy of Addai and Mari does not include the Words of Institution.

Protestantism has typically utilized the words of institution as a central part of its Eucharistic liturgy, though precise traditions vary by denomination. The debate over the force and literalness of the words of institution underlies the arguments between consubstantiation and transubstantiation. Most of the established churches in the Protestant tradition employ a mirroring of Paul's words surrounding the words of institution, while most of the Congregationalist churches (the Baptist Church, Presbyterian Church, and other post Calvinist churches) will use the words themselves without the full citation of Paul's wording.