The supper of the Lord Jesus was instituted by him the same night wherein he was betrayed, to be observed in his churches, unto the end of the world, for the perpetual remembrance, and showing to all the world the sacrifice of himself in his death (1 Cor. 11:23-26), confirmation of the faith of believers in all the benefits thereof, their spiritual nourishment, and growth in him, their further engagement in, and to all duties which they owe to him; and to be a bond and pledge of their communion with him, and with each other (1 Cor. 10:16-17, 21).
Paragraph 1 in each section of the Confession tends to serve as a summary statement which is further clarified in later paragraphs if necessary. Chapter 30 is the same. The first paragraph here is an overview of the Lord’s Supper and a summary of the doctrinal discussion to follow. Here are some key observations of this paragraph:
Institution: The Lord’s Supper was not an invention from men, but something Jesus told someone to do.
Observation: The 1689 framers were concerned that the Church gathered was the intended context for celebration of the Supper.
Perpetual: The Supper is to be celebrated until the end of the world. The remembrance of the death of Christ requires intentional, repetitive remembrance.
Remembrance: The Supper has a memorial aspect. This is key because it stands opposed to the Transsubstantiation and Re-Presentation views.
Showing the world: The supper has a proclamatory aspect. It is therefore to be done in public, not hidden. It is proclaiming the death of Christ both to the assembled saints and to the world.
Confirmation of Faith: The supper has a real benefit to Christians, namely spiritual nourishment, growth, engagement and obedience.
Bond and Pledge: The supper has a Covenantal aspect, specifically related to renewal. It is a return each time it is celebrated to the authorship of our salvation with a heart of faith.
With each other: The supper has a corporate aspect. Though communion is with the Lord, it is also with each other.