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The Eucharist

Mikeseven

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Hello, I understand that Presbyterians typical believe in the spiritual presence while Lutherans believe in both the spiritual and physical presence in the Eucharist.
What would you say to the person that says that Lutherans have greater historical attestation from the following quotes of Church fathers?

Ignatius of Antioch (c. 107 A.D.): Quote: "They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they do not confess that the Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh which suffered for our sins and which the Father, in his goodness, raised up again."

Justin Martyr (c. 150 A.D.): Quote: "For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Savior, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh."

Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 180 A.D.): Quote: "For as the bread, which is produced from the earth, when it receives the invocation of God, is no longer common bread, but the Eucharist, consisting of two realities, earthly and heavenly; so also our bodies, when they receive the Eucharist, are no longer corruptible, having the hope of the resurrection to eternity."

Another Quote: “The bread, which receives the Word of God, becomes the Eucharist, which is the body and blood of Christ. From these, the substance of our flesh is increased and supported”

Cyril of Jerusalem (c. 350 A.D.): Quote: "Since then He Himself declared and said of the Bread, 'This is My Body,' who shall dare to doubt any longer? And when He Himself affirmed and said, 'This is My Blood,' who can ever hesitate, saying, that it is not His blood?"

Many Thanks!
 

Basil the Great

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There seems little doubt but what the Early Church fathers sided more with the Lutheran/Orthodox/Catholic teaching on the Eucharist, than the Presbyterian/United Methodist teaching. However, if we take a moment to recall the Old Testament's strong admonition against the consumption of blood and that Jesus was an observant Jew, then one must wonder if the Early Church Fathers were possibly wrong in their interpretation?
 
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Neostarwcc

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I personally think they were. It's not that I don't think the Eucharist isn't extremely important but more that, you're not consuming Jesus's literal flesh and blood. But more that God is present when people take communion.
 
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