The Operation Log of Agent Delta

Communion

Posted On: April 10th, 2006 at 2:38 am

And now for a discussion of the various beliefs that people hold about what youget when you receive Communion. (Note: the logic presented here is my own, and not meant to be insulting, it's just what I came up with.)

"While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to His disciples saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." -- Matthew 26:26-28 (NIV).

Many of the reformed denominations believe that when you take communion, you receive only bread and wine, not body and blood. They believe that the bread represents Jesus' body, and that the wine represents Jesus' blood. Let's look at the Bible again: "This is my body." "This is my blood." It doesn't say "This represents my body." It says "This is my body."

This brings us to the Roman Catholic view. Roman Catholics believe that when the elements are consecrated, they physically change into Jesus' body and blood. Thus, Roman Catholics believe that one receives body and blood, but not bread and wine. After all, the text says "This IS my body." However, the Roman Catholics overlook 1 Corinthian 10:16, which says "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?" (NIV).

This brings us to the Lutheran view, namely, that when we receive Communion, we receive four things: bread, wine, body, and blood. How can we receive four things when we see only two? All we can say is that we receive the body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine. More than that, no man can fathom. It is like the Trinity: a mystery that we cannot understand in this life.

Comments:

Re: Communion

Posted On: April 10th, 2006 at 3:41 am by Miss Goosey
"(Note: the logic presented here is my own, and not meant to be insulting, it's just what I came up with.)"

I know exactly who you are talking to when you put that note up there Blogger Smiley

-tiz Miss Goosey. And for this, I thank you, it is very much appreciated. A lot of Lutherans don't really seem to care what other Christians believe, they believe that they are right and every other denomination is wrong. They may not admit to this, but it is, unfortunately, what I have found to be true. So I have to say I am truly impressed- you stand up for your beliefs but you do it with Christian love. There really aren't that many people whom you could say that about :)
To tell the truth, I'm not sure what I believe on this particular issue. I agree that if you read it literally, that's what you get-that it is the body and blood of Christ. Though there is one other way you could look at it- and still read it literally- which I have been inclined to believe- that it is spiritually Him, and not physically. (as in the spiritual body and blood of Christ, not the physical) But hey, that's just a confused-Bethany-ish-belief...
While I'm not sure if I agree with it all, I have to say- VERY nice post. It was quite beneficial to read- and it definitely cleared up some things in my mind, as far as what Lutherans believe!

~Miss Goosey~

Re: Communion

Posted On: April 10th, 2006 at 8:52 am by Rachel Engebretson
Good post, K.

I have some comments. They're just thoughts...

With what is recieved at communion: Bread, wine, body, blood...Can I add a couple? Grace and forgiveness! As with all the sacraments, the unconditional love and grace of Christ is there too, correct?

I love your theological posts, like sermons. Keep 'em coming. Blogger Smiley

Re: Communion

Posted On: April 12th, 2006 at 3:21 am by Dee

A lot of Lutherans don't really seem to care what other Christians believe, they believe that they are right and every other denomination is wrong. They may not admit to this, but it is, unfortunately, what I have found to be true.

Bethany, you are right, in part. I'm sorry I have to say that not only Lutherans do that. It's sinful human nature to believe ourselves right, whether we're Lutheran, atheist, Catholic, or anything else.

Well done again, Kennedy!

And good addition, Rachel. Blogger Smiley

Re: Communion

Posted On: April 16th, 2006 at 10:24 pm by Betani

Bethany, you are right, in part. I'm sorry I have to say that not only Lutherans do that. It's sinful human nature to believe ourselves right, whether we're Lutheran, atheist, Catholic, or anything else.

Yes, I agree fullheartedly, Dee. It's sad to see so many Christians fall to the snare of legalism! And to be honest I've been there myself... but as 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, God made a way of escape.. (paraphrasing...)