[boatbums]

I think it should be obvious to anyone that even back in the first century the Christians and their leaders knew very well that the remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ's body and blood for our sins in the bread and wine of the Thanksgiving (Eucharist) observance was a spiritual one. Just as the bread does not change into human flesh nor the cup of wine into human blood, so the symbols of our Savior's gift to us are spiritually discerned. An unbeliever does not change into a saved man because he partakes of the Eucharist, but only if he has already by faith received the gift of eternal life from God's grace. Only then, is he truly doing the actions of eating and drinking of Christ in remembrance of him, just as Jesus said we should do. Only then is he given the promise of everlasting life - where he will never hunger, never thirst, never die.

[narses]

I think it should be obvious to anyone that even back in the first century the Christians and their leaders knew very well that the remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ's body and blood for our sins in the bread and wine of the Thanksgiving (Eucharist) observance was a spiritual one.

No doubt you think that. It is clearly contradicted by the very words of Our Lord as well as voluminous historical records of the time. Like the other heretical nonsensical beliefs paraded around by the oddball whack=a=doodle sects, it simply is false to fact.

[CynicalBear]

Amen and amen. And we baptize because of a previous action just as a person is arrested for committing a robbery rather than so he will commit a robbery.

[metmom]

An unbeliever does not change into a saved man because he partakes of the Eucharist, but only if he has already by faith received the gift of eternal life from God's grace.

If eating the eucharist is what saves someone, then this guy is obviously saved.