John ch 1 1In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didnt make. 4Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. 5The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
No church can boast of being the author or authoritarian of GOD's Word as GOD's Word does not rely on man for existence. GOD gave us The Holy Spirit to dwell among us as individuals to lead us and teach us all truths. That was done so we not be mislead and to also enhance our One On One relationship with Jesus Christ himself which is what it is all about. Anyone/Everyone who believes and is in fellowship with Christ has the same access to Christ directly. Preacher Smith has the same access as the church janitor as does the Roman Catholic Church Pope. Why do we need anyone elses help when Christ said plainly no one comes to The Father but through him? Praying to the dead is useless and senseless. The Bible shows us in this verse as to why. Notice that this is the dead asking favor of the dead.
Luke ch 16 24The rich man shouted, Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames. 25But Abraham said to him, son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. 26And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us. 27Then the rich man said, Please, Father Abraham, send him to my fathers home. 28For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they wont have to come here when they die. 29But Abraham said, Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to. 30The rich man replied, No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins. 31But Abraham said, If they wont listen to Moses and the prophets, they wont listen even if someone rises from the dead.
Verse 26 says "And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.
So who was the only one living able to actually talk to the dead? The One who lives meaning Christ Himself. He and He alone of who has lived on earth holds the power to overcome death, hell, and the grave.
So where is Christ? He's at the Throne of the Father. If we plea in despair of face a tribulation He is their as well. A special ritual is not need but rather the Plea of Peter who while walking on water toward Christ began to sink reached out to Christ. Christ was there. Christ was there when Stephen was being stoned The Bible tells us. He was there on the Road to Damascus to talk to Paul. He says It is I whom you persecute. He was there even before being born from Mary. He was there when the three studends of Daniel were tossed in the furnace. HE WAS THERE.
So is He there at communion as well? Yes He was there before the first glass was filled or the bread even baked or dispensed. The wafer, the wine is in remembrance of HIM. The wine and bread is not Him because He is dwelling in us and with us through The Holy Spirit. The Lamb has done been excepted by GOD for our sins. It was finished 2000 years ago on a cross.
Communion like The Passover is a time appointed to reflect upon our sins deeply before we dare take a sip or a bite in rememberance of Christ sacrifice for us. The Bible teaches us that as well. We remember Him we remember our sins He has forgiven of us through His flesh and blood. We seek forgiveness from Him and we forgive others as well. That is The Lords Supper. "Do this in rememberance of Me" just as the Passover was done in rememberance of deliverance out of Egypt and their lives spared.
Christ through The Holy Spirit dwells in all who believe and are His Own. He is there alive and well and does not need an earthly being as His replacement or substitute amongst us.
Christ came to this world to save us. To establish an everlasting Covenant with us and fulfill GOD's Promise. He came so we meaning me, you, the disciples, the apostles, the Bible Thumping pew walking preacher The Pope can all once and for all FINALLY have a One on One relationship with Him. So why try and bring back a failed system? Failed system meaning man having once again to go through the Priest to talk to GOD. Doing so will not take your salvation but it does make things many times over more complicated than The Lord ever intended.
I can go to a room in my home and lock the door and pray in secret alone To GOD through Christ and be just as forgiven as a person going into a booth with a Priest in another side of the booth listening. I can say the same prayer walking a quiet river bank alone and it works just the same. Why? Because Christ established a One on One relationship with us. We don't need a departed middleman. But you know and understand this :>}
EXCELLENT POINTS well made.
Thx.
Reminds me of
ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS.
Have you read it?