I would like to say thank you for your generous reply to this message.
The partaking of the bread and the cup of the new covenant was a symbol
of an actual truth. Because we partake of this communion we are choosing
(in our hearts) to remember our Lord's sacrifice for us. Because he is
the bread from heaven, his body is the only true means to life. The key
to obtaining that life is because of his shed blood through belief that
in him. His body (bread) was sacrificed so that his blood could be used
to cleanse us from our sins. Communion is a symbolic way to remember the
actual forgiveness of our sins. Thank you Father for this opportunity
today to believe in your precious gift to this world.

http://www.prophecytalk.com/index.php?topic=564.msg3311#msg3311
Brandon

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Hi Brandon,

 

I’m afraid I have to differ with you about all this, for many reasons.  I see the Bible teaching two things about the Lord’s Supper.  The first being that it is actual and secondly that we actually partake of His risen body (by His stripes we are healed - the benefit of His body) and the accomplishment of His blood – forgiveness of our sins.  We must remember that God is Spirit, to me at least, it is not far fetched to be partaking of the risen spiritual body as well as receiving forgiveness in the partaking of His blood.  His blood shed on the cross is now in heaven.

 

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. Revelation 19:12-13

 

One reason I can believe in the Lord’s Supper being actual is because of what you wrote about in the other post I responded to – that being the Holy Spirit living with us.  A pivotal scripture for me is John 16:14-15.  What the verses say is that the Holy Spirit receives all things from Jesus and makes them evident to us here. 

 

He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew (make evident) it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew (make evident) it unto you. John 16:14-15

 

So it’s not far fetched to me to see the Holy Spirit having access to the risen body of Jesus and His atoning blood in heaven.  He makes both of these evident to me in the Lord’s Supper.  Without the Holy spirit connecting me to heaven, there would be no way to actually partake of Jesus.  But that is what I see the Bible teaching about the Holy Spirit’s role here and that is one reason why I can accept that Jesus said that His blood is drink indeed and His flesh is meat indeed.  I see it all as actual.

 

Thanks for writing Brandon.

 

Gary

PS: I wanted you to know that I am not Catholic. After much study though, I just believe what I wrote earlier.