You won't find the word "Trinity" in the Bible either, but that doesn't mean it's "made-up".
No it's not a "Catholic" thing. Many denominations use the word "sacrament". Most define it as being instituted by God as a means of grace. Lutherans define it as a means of grace applied through a visible element (such as water with the Word in baptism and the bread and wine connected with the real body and blood of Christ in communion).
Thank you, Aibrean.
I understand sacrament is not only a Catholic thing but a Christian thing since it's not in the Bible. So as original sin, this is a very Christian thing.
John 6:53-You know Jesus meant these words as a parable.
But some people remind me that , by doing communion, it shows that church has some kind of authority of God, which, I think the Bible says, "the authority of God belongs to only God."
"you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood"-this doesn't mean anything unless you know what that Jesus meant and you take it as a symbolic ceremony.
Other words, I know you know what Jesus meant in those words and then why not emphasize what the Bible says. I would rather hear that from you. Of course your Bible excerpts are extremely important for me.
I am sure that it works on most people, however, I have an experience of "refusing baptism from a man" and the man refused me taking communion.
I hope you understand where I come from, that means I am not totally ignorant of what baptism, communion and sacrament are, because I was doing that without denying based on the idea that I just obey whatever they say in the church.
However, baptism was a different animal for me.
I wanted to take time until I receive go sign from the Holy Spirit or some kind of my ego to think like that, honestly I am not sure.
I loved my pastor and still do, but what he did - refused me receiving communion - made me think what is authority of God.
As you know, doing Christian ceremonies is one thing and knowing the behind seen is another thing.
And the Bible emphasize the behind seen-meaning of "parables of Jesus."
That's why we need to read the Book to get know or feel the heart of God, as far as my concern, that's all I need.
The internal world of myself with God could change myself toward the little world of mine and some big Christians could change the big world, but God Himself never change the big world and even the little world.
Of course, the change is to show my love of God to my neighbor.
Am I doing that?
Very, very little, but much, much more than before.
Please excuse my English, if you had a hard time understanding it.
With love of Jesus.
