At the name of Jesus

Really? That’s the kind of thing you worry about, making the sign of the Cross?

No, not really by itself. But then you have the Catholic quest to almost deify Mary, for it is taught by Catholics*,

As the the Son of God has a unique unique relationship with the Persons of the Trinity, so also Mary is said to have a unique relationship with all three Persons of the Trinity;
As Christ is the express image of God, and highly exalted above all under the Father, having the primary position among all creation, so Mary is declared to be the greatest saint of all, and the first of all creatures, and as having a certain affinity with the Father, with a pre-eminent resemblance which she bears to the Father;
As Christ was called the Son of God, indicating ontological oneness, so Mary is called the Mother of God (which naturally infers the same, and is not the language of Scripture, which even clarifies Israel birthed Christ "according to the flesh, God blessed for ever": Rm. 9:4,5);
As the the Son of God supernaturally, spiritually makes believing souls into children of God, Mary is said to be the mother of Christians in "supernatural and spiritual generation."
As Christ was sinless, so Mary was;
As the Lord remained a virgin, so also Mary;
As the Lord was bodily ascended into Heaven, so Mary also was;
As the Holy Spirit directs believers to be "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith," (Hebrews 12:2) in whom believes are accounted a holy nation, (1 Pt. 2:9) so Catholicism teaches that believers are to "turn their eyes to Mary" in whom "the Church is already the 'all-holy." (CCC 829)
As the Father made Christ Lord over all things, so Mary is said to be enthroned above all creation (all other believers have to wait for their crowns) and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things;
As Christ is given all power in heaven and in earth, so Mary is “surpassing in power all the angels and saints in Heaven.”
As Christ is given all power on Heaven and on earth, so Mary is said to have (showing some restraint) “almost unlimited power;” and showing less restraint, to be "omnipotent" (by grace);
As God the Father made His Divine Son functionally the Lord over the universe, so Mary states, "I command what I will, and introduce whom I will."
As no man comes to the Father but through the Son, so it is taught that no one can come to the Son except through Mary in Heaven;
As no one can obtain mercy, be saved/redeemed or be delivered and know the Father but through the Son, so the same is said of Mary;
As those whom God has chosen will come to Him, so it is said that if Mary wills our salvation, and then we are sure to obtain it.
As the emphasis is upon Christ as the Creator through whom God (the Father) made all things, including Mary, so it is emphasized that uniquely “to her, Jesus owes His Precious Blood,” shed for the salvation of mankind, (the logic behind which can lead back to Eve);
As Scripture declares that Christ suffered for our sins, so Mary is said to have done so also, even all the consequences of sin;
As Christ redeemed mankind (as many as truly believe) with the Father and the Spirit, so it is said of Mary that "we might rightly say she redeemed the human race together with Christ."
As Christ saves us from the condemnation and death resulting from the fault of Adam, so it is taught that man was condemned through the fault of Eve, the root of death, but that we are saved through the merits of Mary; who was the source of life for everyone.
As all things come from the Father through the Son, so Mary is made to be the dispenser of all grace; that "through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation."
As believers have confidence through Christ, so Mary is extolled as being the foundation of all the believer's confidence.
As the Lord wills all souls to be saved through Christ, so it is said that it is God's will that we obtain everything through Mary.
And as the Lord called souls to come to Him to be given life and salvation, so (in misappropriation of the words of Scripture) it is said of Mary, “He that shall find me shall find life, and shall have salvation from the Lord;” “that through her are obtained every hope, every grace, and all salvation. For this is His will, that we obtain everything through Mary.”
As Christ is the King of the saints and over all kings, (Rv. 15:3; 17:14; 19:16) so Mary is made Queen of Heaven and the greatest saint, and that “Next to God, she deserves the highest praise;”
As Christ ever liveth to make intercession for the saints, so is Mary said to be in constant intercession;
as only to God is ascribed the power and privilege of hearing prayer from all flesh, so also is Mary extolled as doing so;
as believers only address God/Christ in prayer to Heaven, including in prostration before Him, so also do Catholics pray to Mary;
as believers only pray to God to have mercy on sinners, so Catholics beseech Mary to do so.
As Catholics (adding error to error) believe Christ gave His "real" flesh and blood to be eaten, so it is emphasized that Mary gave Him this, being fashioned out of Mary's pure blood and even being “kneaded with the admixture of her virginal milk,” so that she can say, "Come and eat my bread, drink the wine I have prepared" (Prov. 9:5);
And as Christ is given many titles of honor, so Mary also is, except that she is honored by Catholics with more titles than they give to the Lord Himself!
More .

And if you asked them which party was cited the most, I am quite sure it would be RCs vs evangelicals, if they kept count.

We have seen such things as asserting
that Protestantism is belief in one’s self, and
absolutely alien to Christianity, and that,
Protestants are mostly biblically illiterate,
intellectually dishonest,
evil fruit, who
don’t have the Holy Spirit, and
are not part of the Body of Christ, and
who have no foundation for their understanding of Christianity, and
will not be saved unless they becomes a member of the Catholic Church, and
are by inclination vandals who should be eradicated from the face of the earth.

But that Catholics never put down or challenge beliefs from protestants, and that,
there never has been a bit of anti-protestant bigotry on FR

The fact that each one of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit does not negate the fact that we must eat and drink His Body and His Blood. They are not mutually exclusive propositions.

If you had ever read St. Teresa of Avila’s “Mansions” you would see that the aim of every Christian is union with God.

Worth reception of the Body and Blood of Christ is an immeasurable help in achieving this end.

And a couple gallons of butter melting.

Can’t have too much butter with your popcorn.

If faling to make the Sign of the Cross incurred some penalty or approbation, you might have a point in your apparent revulsion. As such, you don’t, that I can see.

It is actually required for the priest in conducting the Mass, as well it seems for the laity at the beginning and is at least expected at the end when the sign of the Cross is made by the priest. - http://catholic-resources.org/ChurchDocs/Mass.htm/wiki/Sign_of_the_cross#Catholicism

Also, the CCC 2157 states,

The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

And it is also stated,

the sign of the cross is used by Episcopalians, Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians, particularly in baptisms. In his small catechism, Martin Luther recommends making the sign of the cross at bedtime and first thing in the morning. - https://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zsigncro.htm

As for penalty, just what are RC penalized for anymore? The lack of which does effectively manifest what Rome really believes and effectually conveys, while as for official requirements, some of the above should suffice, while back in the days traditionalists long for faced severe penalties,

Pope Paul IV, Cum Ex Apostolatus Officio of 1559: We will and decree that the aforementioned sentences, censures and penalties be incurred without exception by all members of the following categories

: (i) Anysoever who, before this date, shall have been detected to have deviated from the Catholic Faith, or fallen into any heresy, or incurred schism, or provoked or committed either or both of these, or who have confessed to have done any of these things, or who have been convicted of having done any of these things... no one shall be forced to respond to them concerning any business;

Not everything Catholics do, that you choose not to, is wrong.

Indeed, Evangelicals have been foremost defenders of the many basic Truths we both affirm, our basis being because they are manifestly Scriptural. The contrary being the reason we oppose Catholic distinctives which they insist are the word of God, and which all must submit to.

And what is "saving faith" compared to "faith alone?" Is faith that does not produce works saving faith?

NO: sola fide means that it is the faith itself which effects obedience towards it Object (the Lord Jesus) that appropriates justification, that it is not the holy effect of faith which is the cause of justification and acceptance in the Beloved and being with Him at death, whereas in Catholicism one is formally justified by His own holiness, and must become actually good enough to be with God. .

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)

And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:7-9)

And which is interpretative of Acts 2:38, showing it was the faith behind baptism that appropriated the promise. But since works evidence faith, then the promise of salvation is given both upon the condition of believing, (Jn. 3:16) as well as if they will do what faith effects and requires. (Mk. 16:16) To the glory of God, who enables and motivates both.

Likewise,

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. (Mark 2:9-11)

It was forgiveness that effected healing, and thus the Lord could say either "thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk," however., the effect was not the cause.

The fact that each one of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit does not negate the fact that we must eat and drink His Body and His Blood.

And where are the thousands of years old Christians who partook of what they thought was the literal body and blood of Jesus that Jesus said would cause them to live forever?

The eating of blood is prohibited in Scripture, before the law, in the Law and was reiterated by the church leadership at the Council at Jerusalem for the NT church.

Genesis 9:4 But you shall not eat flesh with its life , that is, its blood.

Leviticus 3:17 It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, in all your dwelling places, that you eat neither fat nor blood.”

Leviticus 7:26-27 Moreover, you shall eat no blood whatever, whether of fowl or of animal, in any of your dwelling places. Whoever eats any blood, that person shall be cut off from his people.”

Leviticus 17:10-14 “If any one of the house of Israel or of the strangers who sojourn among them eats any blood, I will set my face against that person who eats blood and will cut him off from among his people. For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, No person among you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger who sojourns among you eat blood.

“Any one also of the people of Israel, or of the strangers who sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. For the life of every creature is its blood: its blood is its life. Therefore I have said to the people of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any creature, for the life of every creature is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.

Leviticus 19:26 “You shall not eat any flesh with the blood in it. You shall not interpret omens or tell fortunes.

Deuteronomy 12:16 Only you shall not eat the blood ; you shall pour it out on the earth like water.

Deuteronomy 12:23 Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life , and you shall not eat the life with the flesh.

Deuteronomy 15:23 Only you shall not eat its blood; you shall pour it out on the ground like water.

Acts 15:12-29 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,

“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’

Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter:

“The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

Matthew 26:29 I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”

Mark 14:25 Truly, I say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Luke 22:18 For I tell you that from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Peter himself says that he never ate and drank the literal body and blood of Jesus as that would have made him unclean. As an observant Jew, he WOULD NOT HAVE eaten blood, which was very strictly stated in the Law.

And his testimony that he had never eaten anything unclean means he did not think Jesus meant literal flesh and blood.

Also, Jesus Himself called the contents of the cup *the fruit of the vine*. Wine, not blood.

And then, it's the SPIRIT who gives life. The flesh is no help at all. Eating Jesus doesn't cut it.

John 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Jesus explains He means a spiritual truth, not a literal, physical one.

The fact that Catholics die proves that their interpretation is incorrect because if literal eating and drinking gives literal life, then they would not die.

The fact that each one of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit does not negate the fact that we must eat and drink His Body and His Blood. They are not mutually exclusive propositions.

Roman Catholicism teaches one must believe they consume the actual flesh and blood of Jesus for salvation.

However, that is not supported in the overall context of the New Testament.

The consistent teaching of the NT is we come to Christ through faith.

The passage Rome cites in John 6 as the justification for their mistaken belief in transubstantiation, which the passage does not indicate, is taken out of context within the passage itself.

The reason for the Lord's Supper is explained by Paul and Luke. We are "to do this in remembrance of Me."

Matthew 26:26-29

Mark 14:22-24

Luke 22:14-20

John 13:21-26

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

26While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” 27And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you;

28for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins.

29“But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

22While they were eating, He took some bread, and after a blessing He broke it, and gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is My body.” 23And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

25“Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”.

14When the hour had come, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; 18for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes.”19And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of Me.”

20And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood.

21When Jesus had said this, He became troubled in spirit, and testified and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, that one of you will betray Me.” 22The disciples began looking at one another, at a loss to know of which one He was speaking.23There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. 24So Simon Peter gestured to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom He is speaking.” 25He, leaning back thus on Jesus’ bosom, said to Him, “Lord, who is it?”

26Jesus then answered, “That is the one for whom I shall dip the morsel and give it to him.” So when He had dipped the morsel, He took and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.

23For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you;

do this in remembrance of Me.”

25In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Key Phrases/words:

Poured out: In the OT the blood sacrifice was never consumed; it was always poured out. We further have the drink offering which was poured out before God as a sacrifice (Ex 29:40, Numbers 15:4-5).

29.11 ἀνάμνησις, εως f: (derivative of ἀναμιμνῄσκω ‘to cause to remember,’ 29.10) the means for causing someone to remember—‘means of remembering, reminder.’ ἀλλ’ ἐν αὐταῖς ἀνάμνησις ἁμαρτιῶν κατ’ ἐνιαυτόν ‘but in those (sacrifices) there is a yearly reminder of sins’ or ‘… that people have sinned’ He 10:3. Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 347). New York: United Bible Societies.

If you had ever read St. Teresa of Avila’s “Mansions” you would see that the aim of every Christian is union with God.

The New Testament already teaches every Christian is already united with God through the sealing of the Holy Spirit.

13In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14 NASB

The verb, you were sealed, is interesting in the Greek. It is an aorist, indicative, passive.

In Greek, the passive indicates the subject of the verb, in this case the believer, is acted upon by an outside force, in this case God.

God is the One Who seals the believer with the Holy Spirit.

If God does the sealing, only God can unseal. No where is it written in the NT that God unseals the believer.

Do you have the assurance that you will never fall into the sins that Paul says will exclude us from the kingdom of God? If so, how?

Which is a different question than whether you can know that you presently have eternal life, which Scripture says you can, based upon evidential Scriptural faith. (1Jn. 5:13)

I believe that God will both preserve His word and continue the work He began with convicting me of sin, righteousness and judgment, and opening my heart, etc., for which i can claim zero credit. And since this means continuing in faith (versus mere profession), then God works to chasten us to repentance if needed.

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. (1 Corinthians 11:32)

If God did not work such repentance, then we would be. Yet the fact that God continues this work does not mean that I could not or cannot resist and reject Christ (which is the only thing i can really take credit for), and cannot choose to do what Scripture clearly warn believers, as believers, against. Such as,

And because ye are sons [Paul's audience], God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6)

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again [those who were set free] with the yoke of bondage [going back into what they were set free from]. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if [submission to Judaizers these believers are being warned against] ye be circumcised [signifying justification obtained by keeping all the law], Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become [an effectual change due to their choice] of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace[their former state]. For we [those who continue to believe] through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. (Galatians 5:1-5)

Take heed, brethren, [contextually not a general sense, but as believers] lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God [a departure from their former state s believers]. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin [a change of heart]. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end [[perseverance of the saints]. (Hebrews 3:12-14)

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering [continued exhortation to persevere]; (for he is faithful that promised And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, [indicating departing from the faith, as follows] as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:23-25)

For if [a choice brethren are warned against] we [not just you] sin wilfully [not out of weakness, but with full consent, as a decision not to continue but to depart, signified by giving up being with the believers] after that we have received the knowledge of the truth [a term which refers to believing, as per 1Tim. 2:4; 2Tim. 3:7], there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins [cf. Hebrews 6:6-8; a terminal condition of judgment, with no provision for repentance and forgiveness, having forfeited what saving faith obtained], But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified [a past condition, appropriated by faith, now forfeited by a definite denial of the same] , an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:28-29)

Cast not away therefore your confidence, [the issue being faith, out of which obedience flows] which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise [not that doing earns the promise, but that saving faith is that which finally perseveres, which faith as manifested in works God - who gave faith and the ability and motivation to obey - rewards under grace] For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

Now the just shall live by faith [the just live by faith, not merely profess it, with such faith being what appropriates justification]: but if any man draw back [a denial of justifying faith], my soul shall have no pleasure in him [as solemnly, fearfully described above]. But we [who do not draw back, but persevere] are not of them who draw back unto perdition [contextually a terminal condition of judgment, with no provision for repentance and forgiveness due to treating Christ with contempt] but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. (Hebrews 10:35-39)

Such departing from the the living God, drawing backing into perdition, falling from grace, etc., is likely the the "great transgression," (Psalms 9:13) that of having "wickedly departed from my God,"(2 Samuel 22:22) which David stated he did not do, despite his sins, for unlike apostates he overall kept the ways of the Lord, and confessed in repentance when convicted of not doing so, (2 Samuel 12:7-13)

It is the Father's will that none should perish and that all whom the Father gives Christ shall be saved, but as with Judas, there are some sons of perdition. Whatever glorifies God most should be what we at least want.

I once held to OSAS myself, and by nature would like to now, but in the light of Scripture find it incontrovertible that believers are being addressed as believers in these texts, I cannot see how all such can be dismissed as hypothetical, or that the consequences warned of are less than that of damnation as lost soul, and of them being the more accountable.

Yet i pray and trust that as David said, The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands. (Psalms 138:8)

Thanks be to God.

What’s the point of harassing Catholics and being an anti Catholic troll? Tk show everyone how superior your spirituality is?

Go do a search and see how much FR is used to promote Catholicism or is used by them in her interest by posting articles.

Go do a search and see how many times in the last year at least that Catholics have outright attacked Protestant faith by posting articles, versus the opposite. Are these not provocative?

Go do a search and find out which faith group insists that their church is uniquely the one true church to whom all are to submit.

Ask yourself if this would not be provocative if a particular Prot church the above.

Go do a search and find out which faith group whines the most often over having their feelings hurt, and has even succeeded in obtaining special protection from such.

Ask yourself which faith group is more conservative, and which one is more supportive of free speech and open debate.

If the passage in Hebrews 6 teaches one can lose their salvation then it also has to be understood that one cannot regain their salvation.

A lot of this would go against Paul's writings in Romans and other places that indicate the believer is saved and does not lose their salvation.

And if you asked them which party was cited the most, I am quite sure it would be RCs vs evangelicals, if they kept count.

Whatever the answer may be (is God somewhere out there keeping score?), I'm sure that it's one of you against the other, and I'm also sure that the struggle will continue until the world ends and we find which of you was right.

The fact that each one of us is a temple of the Holy Spirit does not negate the fact that we must eat and drink His Body and His Blood. They are not mutually exclusive propositions.

Actually, you either believe John 6:53,54 literally or you do not. Either one must eat and drink the "true Body" and Blood of Christ in order to obtain life in ourselves, or that is obtained by receiving the word of the gospel in faith .

And this in the only wholly inspired substantive authoritative record of what the NT church believed, Acts thru Revelation, we never see the Eucharist described as spiritual food, or the means of obtaining spiritual life, nor NT ministers offering the Lord's supper as a sacrifice for sins and dispensing it to the pope.

See here