“the Sacrament of the Eucharist was given to us by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper”.
Well, you are correct in some degree: Jesus indeed commanded the disciples to remember Him and broke bread and blessed the cup at the last supper. St. Paul confirms and reiterates it as well in several passages. Bread and Wine in remembrance of His death and sufferings, one to atone for our sins and the other to heal our bodies. I find no evidence of living blood and human tissue in the bible, but I do in archaic writings of ancient pagans.
“It was passed down to Catholics through Sacred Tradition before Scriptures were written and continues as the summit and source of our Christian life”
Hmm. That poses a problem to Believers, as Jesus IS the WORD of God and His Word suffices and exceeds any need.
“Perhaps since you reject the words of the Eucharist that we need to eat and drink Christ’s Body and Blood for our salvation”
Again, completely mistaking a scripture passage wherein Jesus, early in His ministry, made that statement and all but a few of His followers departed and ceased following. The passage is about what Jesus said in John 6:53 after His declaration about eating His flesh and drinking His blood: “The Spirit gives life! The flesh counts for nothing. The Words I have spoken are Spirit and they are life!”
Earlier He stated in v. 32 & 33: “I tell you the truth. it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world”.
So, Jesus is speaking about being the Bread from Heaven, which gives life eternal. Now, what is life eternal but the reduction and removal of the wall of separation from God due to sin? Jesus clearly is talking about paying the sin debt and suffering for it. His flesh and Blood as a substitutionary payment for my sin and my fallen flesh. To infer that the eating and drinking is literal is to ignore the tone of the scripture and the entire promise of God—That a debt has to be paid because God is Righteous ad Holy and Jesus, God in man’s flesh and blood would be the payment in full.
Secret “pre scriptural” arguments are why I left the RCC at a fairly young age when I tasted and saw the goodness of God! I indeed ate the Bread from Heaven and was saved, body and soul and given a regenerated spirit by which I can call out to God “Abba” ( Daddy)! In this world I am a powerful robust experience man who stands firmly for principles of life liberty and freedom, but in Gods economy I am a child, a son of 59 years young ( 41 in Christ) needing a guiding hand each day, while my mind is being renewed. Wonderful!
Finally, Jesus sits on the right hand of the Throne of GOD in heaven. He needs his heart, He is a living soul in a glorified body, He was alive, was dead and lives for evermore! Praise HIM! Hear ye HIM!
Blessing in Christ, although we disagree on some critical points, Peace.
“It was passed down to Catholics through Sacred Tradition before Scriptures were written and continues as the summit and source of our Christian life”
Your comment: “Hmm. That poses a problem to Believers, as Jesus IS the WORD of God and His Word suffices and exceeds any need.”
So you ignore history and what actually happened as the Catholic Church began so that you can claim “sola scriptura”. Jesus repeated “Take,eat This is My BodY.” Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant...” Matthew and Mark 14:22-24 and Paul in 1 cor 11:23-26. Also John 6 describes His flesh as food necessary for our salvation.
Then you rejected the Catholic Church that Jesus founded for our salvation. Jesus told us if one rejects His Apostles and their successors, then they reject Jesus.
You do realize that “sola scriptura” is not biblical and was not taught by Jesus or the Apostles or the Catholic Church?
This was made up by man in rebellion to the Catholic Church in the 1500’s.
Did you seek any information on the scientific analysis of a consecrated host? Jesus has tried to provide these Eucharistic miracles so that more people will believe.
So you are saying “The flesh counts for nothing.” In other words, the flesh of the living resurrected Jesus counts for nothing? I don’t know anyone who claims to be a christian can make that statement after Jesus told us that his flesh and blood were food and drink for our life and salvation.
I appreciate the discussion even if there is significant disagreement. I do believe that the protestant doctrines are a departure from what Christ taught and they attempt to use the Bible (that was written by early Catholics) to contradict God’s Truth. I do believe that many protestants have accepted the myths about the Catholic faith and are not willing to use reason and logic to understand God’s Truth.
God’s Peace be with you.