Theology and Church. Karl Barth

Supper with the purpose ‘that it be like a badge or label by which Christians are distinguished from others; therefore as an opportunity to confess Christ’. Luther stresses the need to know who and where the Christians are ‘in whom the Gospel now brings forth its fruits’.4 The communion of the Lord’s Supper is ‘a part of the confession of faith in which they confess before God, angels and men’. The communicants have to take special places at the service to identify themselves; they must be what they are openly not secretly (furtim!).5

      6. Unlike preaching, but like confession, the sacrament has the advantage ‘that the Word is directed to thee personally. For in the sermon the Word is sent forth to the community and even though it touches thee, yet thou art not so certain of it. But here it can touch no one but thyself alone. Must thou not be sincerely glad, if thou knowest a place where God wishes to speak with thee thyself?’1