Posted on 07/23/2016 9:19:23 AM PDT by Salvation
Eucharist in the creed?
Msgr. Charles Pope
Question: The true presence of Christ in the Eucharist is central to our Catholic faith, and many converts say it was essential to their conversion. If this is so, why is the true presence not mentioned at all in the Nicene or Apostles Creeds? Should it not be added at the end where we state things like our belief in the Communion of Saints, the resurrection of the body and so forth? — Jerry Roventini, via email
Answer: There are many things that are not mentioned in the Nicene Creed. There is no mention of the Ten Commandments or grace; neither are we told what books belong to the New Testament or that we should care for the poor, etc. The creed is not a catechism; it is a statement of certain key doctrines that were disputed at the time of its composition in the fourth century.
The creed was composed in response to debates about the divinity of Jesus Christ and the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. While there are a few concluding statements related to ecclesiology and eschatology, the Nicene Creed remains preeminently a statement of faith in the one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The belief in the true presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist was not widely disputed at the time. And to the degree it was, the need to definitively teach on the divinity of Christ was an important foundation in order to establish his true presence in the Eucharist.
In the Sacred Liturgy, many signs and words indicate the Real Presence. The words of the consecration, which are Jesus’ own words, say, “This is my body … my blood.” The priest later says, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” There are also signs of the Real Presence in our reverence of kneeling and genuflecting. And, as Communion is distributed, there is the simple creedal declaration and response: “The body of Christ. Amen.” Therefore, in the wider liturgy of the Mass and devotions such as adoration, the Church proclaims her belief in the True Presence.
While it would not intrinsically hurt to add to the Nicene Creed, one might wonder where it would stop. Further, since the creed is shared by the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, adding to the ancient creed might harm attempts at unity.
Pope Paul VI wrote a longer “Credo of the People of God” which does speak to the Eucharistic presence, but it is too long to recite at Mass.
Made SURE that the 15th chapter of ACTS was included in the bible.
But now, 2000 or so years later; it makes me wonder why; as it seems to be quite ignored these days.
So Rome ADDED to the rituals that were good enough for the Jews.
OK then.
Surely a thinking person can disagree with Rome's teaching that Mary AGREED to what was told WAS going to happen to her.
When I received my Greetings letter from Uncle Sam back in 1971, I agreed to what I was told was going to happen to me.
Actually, there are things that are not possible.
He cannot sin, for example.
Once you strip a verse from its context and try to make it a universal saying, you run into problems.
Again, we are back to “study to show yourself approved, a workman who rightly handles the Word of Truth,” and “... Love the Lord your God with all your ... mind.”
YES, since Jews didn't believe that Jesus was the Son of God who died for our sins and gave us His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to consume every day.
But you would know that if you were a Catholic, though many Christians only believe in the FIRST part.
Who's ignoring that chapter?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Jerusalem
The Council of Jerusalem or Apostolic Council was held in Jerusalem around 50 AD. It is unique among the ancient pre-ecumenical councils in that it is considered by Catholics and Orthodox to be a prototype and forerunner of the later ecumenical councils and a key part of Christian ethics.
The council decided that Gentile converts to Christianity were not obligated to keep most of the Law of Moses, including the rules concerning circumcision of males. The Council did, however, retain the prohibitions on eating blood, meat containing blood, and meat of animals not properly slain, and on fornication and idolatry, sometimes referred to as the Apostolic Decree or Jerusalem Quadrilateral.
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There have been councils all through the 2000 year history of the Church. But, you would know that if you were a Catholic.
Personal insults show the entire site a glimpse of your character...or lack of it.
One also needs food for our spiritual journey to spend eternity with our good Lord. Holy Communion is that Sacred food for that journey-to-eternity of ours.
It's the most important of our existence because our goal to heaven is for eternity.
Hell is eternity without God.
Jesus said that we are to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood. But, you apparently thought He was incorrect or wrong or something. How could He have put it more plainly?
Food? Is the body JESUS now occupies in Heaven having The Life distributed throughout the tissues by blood coursing through that body?... Let’s see how well you know your Catholic Bible.
“believe He means it when He says the bread that is given us to eat is His body.”
Then why didn’t the Apostles believe that? They were actually in the room when Christ said those words, yet there is no evidence of any Apostle carrying it out as if the elements could change.
How is it that you came to a different belief and practice than the Apostles?
Why do you choose to believe what they never did in practice.
Based on Scripture alone, neither you nor I can say with any degree of certainty what the Apostles believed and practiced regarding the Eucharist. Scripture makes no mention of what they believed. Scripture does not describe what the Apostles did in practice.
Based on my study of Scripture and various commentaries, I have concluded that my beliefs are in accord with what the Apostles believed. I realize that you have a different belief, which is fine. As you indicated in a previous post, people have freedom to examine Scripture and find their own answers.
Peace,
Rich
Rich, we have a record, starting in Acts and continuing through the epistles detailing what the Apostles commanded the churches and what they did - over decades.
Your belief never appears in the biblical record. Not any of the 12 Apostles, who heard Christ’s words, are recorded acting out your belief. Nor did any of the 12 Apostles instruct or teach any church to carry out what you believe.
We do have a record of churches celebrating feasts and the Lord’s Supper - the simple breaking of bread.
You might as well believe pizza gives you better access to God. That has as much biblical support.
Sadly.
Odd that the first recorded council of the Believers given in Acts had nothing to say about all the added parts of catholiciism when they sent their letter to the new believers. But then some catholics can find things that are not there simply by appealing to ‘traditions’.
I do remember sir, but I was kind of rebellious. When I was told I couldn't read the Bible for myself, the first thing I did, was get a Bible, and read it for myself.
Do you remember when you came to know Christ and His Word opened up to your heart?
I do remember sir, but it took about a month for me to completely understand it, to a point where I felt comfortable committing the sin of presumption, by having total assurance of salvation.
I was baptized in the swimming pool at Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of South Vietnam, along with two others. We made 7th Air Force News. It was a hot day, so it was nice. 😇👍
We went to church because we were supposed to and in mid teens, we'd skip church and spend the time at a Friendly's, eating ice cream and hanging out with our friends just like after school.
There was never a spiritual consciousness other than the hippie stuff of the hippie era ... which I utilized to ball the girls.
In 1981, I met Jesus with no build up to a spiritual experience except ... I had reached the end of "my" rope and Eddie Klein witnessed to me ... and I met Jesus.
I think I was about 12, but I went through the motions, so I could keep doing the only thing I really wanted to do, play hockey. Go Blackhawks. Go Sioux, 2016 NCAA champions. 🏒👍
Live source, please. Always a live source is needed. (per FR posting police, salvation) ;o)
Bwahahaha ... good one!
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