Brandon Hughes Regular Worker Guy

Various views concerning communion or the Lord's Supper exist in the visible church today.

Catholics believe a priest ascends to heaven, pulls Christ down from his throne and re-sacrifices him, this process transforms bread and wine into body and blood, no bread and no wine remain after this process. Does the bible speak of a re-sacrifice? Heb 10:14 "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

Baptists/non-denominational/bible churches believe the Lords Supper is a mere symbol that can act no benefit or harm to peoples. Does the bible support this? 1 Cor 11:24-25 "...this is (IS) my body...,...is (IS) the new covenant in my blood..." 1 Cor 29-30 "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died."

Calvinists/Reformed/Presbyterians believe they ascend to heaven "spiritually" and partake of the Supper in heaven since Jesus is human and cannot be in more than one place at a time. This teaching confounds me. Scripture nowhere hints at this idea but uses literal language "this is", Paul says it is a "participation" in the blood and a "participation" in the body (1 Cor 10, 1 Cor 11, Mat 26, Luke 22, Mark 14). In addition, Jesus, being omnipotent and omnipresent God is not confined to one physical location.

Lutherans believe in the real presence of body and blood with bread and wine and that taking the elements works the forgiveness of sins and it can bring judgement on those who take it unworthily.

Where does the bible teach this? Matthew, Mark, Luke and Paul speak in harmony: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread: and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to His disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.

In the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Take, drink all of it. This cup is the new testament in My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of sins. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. 

I'm sure other views of the Lord's Supper exist but these are a few of the most common.

October 26 2014 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report