The Words of Institution (or the consecration of the elements) are our Lord’s words of promise that He spoke when He instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion. These words are repeated by the pastor, not to give historical context of the Lord’s Supper, but because they give and bestow what they declare, the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ. The words Christ spoke in the upper room are the words that made His Supper a sacrament, not only for that time but throughout all time, indeed until He comes! (Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)