Protestants: What do you believe happens when you take communion?

[MrLuther]

Jesus had the disciples eat some bread and wine for no reason? Don't think so either.

Playing the role of advocatus diaboli for a moment here:
The Last Supper was the Jewish passover meal. They were going to have that meal anyway.

 

[sunlover1]

I believe what scripture says about it.

1. In remembrance of Him.
2. Showing the Lord's death until He comes.


1 Cor 11:25-26

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
KJV

Ditto

 

[Albion]

Ditto

I believe what scripture says about it.

1. In remembrance of Him.
2. Showing the Lord's death until He comes.

1 Cor 11:25-26

25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

The problem is that the above is not ALL of what scripture says about it.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Playing the role of advocatus diaboli for a moment here:
The Last Supper was the Jewish passover meal. They were going to have that meal anyway.

True, but it does go rather hand in hand with scriptures talking about the Bread of Life and the Fruit of the Vine, does it not?

 

[Gracelands]

Playing the role of advocatus diaboli for a moment here:
The Last Supper was the Jewish passover meal. They were going to have that meal anyway.

and for Jesus to identify himself with a passover lamb by saying "this is my body.. this is my blood"?

 

[Albion]

But Mr. Luther's point was simply that the idea that there would be no reason for Jesus to have had the Last Supper unless it had great supernatural meaning a la the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist (as SwordFall was suggesting) simply isn't true. Merely to celebrate the Passover would justify the gathering.

 

[OrthodoxyUSA]

Playing the role of advocatus diaboli for a moment here:
The Last Supper was the Jewish passover meal. They were going to have that meal anyway.

Christ was in the grave during the Jewish Passover (seder) meal.

God be gracious to me a sinner.

 

[sunlover1]

The problem is that the above is not ALL of what scripture says about it.

Well, sign me up for ALL of what Scripture has to say on the matter.

 

[Albion]

Well, sign me up for ALL of what Scripture has to say on the matter.

Well...for instance, we have Luke telling us that Jesus said to them, "this (is) my body which is given for you," and "this is God's new covenant sealed with my blood." Also, in Corinthians 11 (from which Optimax cited only verses 25 and 26) we find in vs. 27-32 the admonition that if we eat and drink the communion elements in a dishonorable or disrespectful way, "not recognizing the meaning of the Lord's body..." that we will come under God's judgment for that.

Surely, there is more to this sacrament/ordinance than symbolism. Whatever one's own church teaches or one's own interpretation of all of this, these verses are saying that that it's not as simple as mere symbolism.

 

[Tangible]

(bolding mine)
So, it's more or less "like whatever you like kinda think 'n stuffz"?
I didn't say at what exact moment during the Consecration that the change happens. But I did say that it DOES happen. If not, then we have no business calling it the Body and Blood of Christ. In that case, the charismatics are right, and we can just as well hold communion with chocolate bars and coke (diet coke....need to watch those calories ) because "It's like just kinda symbolic 'n stuffz".
Oh, and Jesus is a liar, too, because it ISN'T really His Body and Blood.

The only other alternative, is to treat all unleavened bread and all wine as the body and blood of Christ, regardless of the circumstances.

The Consecration is THE action by which mere bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Christ (at the same time as it remains bread and wine)
.

Epitome of the Formula of Concord, Affirmative Theses, Number Three & Four

8] 3. Now, as to the consecration, we believe, teach, and confess that no work of man or recitation of the minister [of the church] produces this presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Holy Supper, but that this is to be ascribed only and alone to the almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9] 4. But at the same time we also believe, teach, and confess unanimously that in the use of the Holy Supper the words of the institution of Christ should in no way be omitted, but should be publicly recited, as it is written 1 Cor. 10:16: The cup of blessing which we bless, etc. This blessing occurs through the recitation of the words of Christ.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

I believe that I literally consume the flesh and blood of the Lord Jesus. Why? Because he said so. How? I have no idea.

 

[Albion]

I believe that I literally consume the flesh and blood of the Lord Jesus. Why? Because he said so. How? I have no idea.

He also said that he was a door and a vine. Do you take those statements in the same superliteral manner?

 

[Sword of the Lord]

An Anglican questioning me on the real presence? Odd.

 

[MrLuther]

But Mr. Luther's point was simply that the idea that there would be no reason for Jesus to have had the Last Supper unless it had great supernatural meaning a la the Catholic understanding of the Eucharist (as SwordFall was suggesting) simply isn't true. Merely to celebrate the Passover would justify the gathering.

Exactly this.

8] 3. Now, as to the consecration, we believe, teach, and confess that no work of man or recitation of the minister [of the church] produces this presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Holy Supper, but that this is to be ascribed only and alone to the almighty power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, the pastor does not have magical powers in and of himself to do anything. God works through him, and through his speaking the words of Consecration.
But without these words, the elements remain only bread and wine. The only other alternative is to say that they are Body and Blood ALL THE TIME, and that position is obviously untenable.

 

[MrLuther]

He also said that he was a door and a vine. Do you take those statements in the same superliteral manner?

Context....context....context.

 

[ebia]

Merely to celebrate the Passover would justify the gathering.

Yes. But would it justify the telling of that gathering?

 

[PreachersWife2004]

He also said that he was a door and a vine. Do you take those statements in the same superliteral manner?

Context....context....context.

Words from my mouth you took.

 

[sunlover1]

Well...for instance, we have Luke telling us that Jesus said to them, "this (is) my body which is given for you," and "this is God's new covenant sealed with my blood." Also, in Corinthians 11 (from which Optimax cited only verses 25 and 26) we find in vs. 27-32 the admonition that if we eat and drink the communion elements in a dishonorable or disrespectful way, "not recognizing the meaning of the Lord's body..." that we will come under God's judgment for that.

Surely, there is more to this sacrament/ordinance than symbolism. Whatever one's own church teaches or one's own interpretation of all of this, these verses are saying that that it's not as simple as mere symbolism.

Heck, I can't even understand everything you just said in your second
paragraph. All I know is if He said it, then that's what it means.
That's enough for me.
I'm blessed to be able to sit at His table
and sup with Him.
ONLY by His shed blood, am I worthy
to partake.
Never mind what men tell me.
Amen?

. How? I have no idea.

^THIS!

 

[MoreCoffee]

I am curious to see what effect (if any) is received (when communion is taken) by those who take the bread as a metaphorical representation of the body of Christ and the wine (or grape juice) as a metaphorical representation of the blood of Christ?

 

[SwordFall]

Words from my mouth you took.

Yoda. That you?