"The church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 says, “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2) until Christ’s return."
If one took the bread and the cup without discerning the REAL body of Christ as The Ekklesia with whom they were communing, then that one would be guilty of taking the body and blood of the man Jesus, by an act of will, not faith.
“If one took the bread and the cup without discerning the REAL body of Christ as The Ekklesia with whom they were communing, then that one would be guilty of taking the body and blood of the man Jesus, by an act of will, not faith.”
I can see where you’re coming from.
I can not and do not agree. Not just from a plain reading of the words, but also because church bodies from the beginning, while the Apostles were still alive, believed in the real presence. Don’t you think that the Apostles and those who were taught by them would have put a stop to something so hideous if they did not believe it was commanded by Jesus?
Also, I have no idea what you mean by ‘an act of will, not faith.’ Explain?
Some additional thoughts:
Paul’s comments about the Church being the Body of Christ come after a break in the letter; all his references to the Body of Christ in Communion end with what we would refer to as chapter 11.
After that he refers to the Church as a body in reference to spiritual gifts, not to Communion. A complete subject change.
You would think that he would tie them closer together if he meant to command the people not to take the Lord’s Supper with literal meaning.
(You would also think that he wouldn’t use the word ‘is,’ and that it wouldn’t have been common Christian confession at the time.)
The "Communion" is not an object to be looked at. Communion is the union /unity concerning common beliefs and parctices shared. "Common" + "union" = Communion, the Body of Christ assembled in unity.
Breaking of Bread = the visible co-consumption of the emblems representing Jesus' Cross-death as a memorial, that we may never forget His suffering in our place.
I shun using the word "sacrament" -- belongs too much to the practice of codified religious rituals . . .
The "Communion" is not an object to be looked at. Communion is the union /unity concerning common beliefs and parctices shared. "Common" + "union" = Communion, the Body of Christ assembled in unity.
Breaking of Bread = the visible co-consumption of the emblems representing Jesus' Cross-death as a memorial, that we may never forget His suffering in our place.
I shun using the word "sacrament" -- belongs too much to the practice of codified religious rituals . . . I didn't read about Jesus and the disciples doing much of that.