Do We Eat And Drink The Body And Blood Of Christ?

Do We Eat And Drink The Body And Blood Of Christ?

Dear Bro. John:
I am studying with a very intelligent elderly man who claims no belief in God. He told me he has trouble accepting the idea of "eating the body of Christ and drinking His blood." He says the very thought smacks of cannibalism and is a major 'turnoff' to him. Can you give me a good response that could convict him for the Lord?
-Dan

Dear Dan:
I would ask the gentleman if he would have any trouble participating in a memorial banquet to his favorite president, Reagan if he is Republican, Kennedy or Roosevelt if he is Democratic. Such events are often observed on their 100th birthday, etc. Such a meal honors the man for his life and work. Our communion is a memorial to the founder of our faith. Since he died for our salvation and to bring about his church, it is fitting that we observe a memorial to that sacrificial event. Thus Jesus said, "This do" in remembrance of me" (I Cor. 11:24-25).

He has obviously heard the teaching of the Catholic Church of the real presence of Christ's body and blood in the elements of the communion. Explain to him that this is a misunderstanding of the message of the Bible on the subject. A memorial meal in honor of a great person is not an cannibalistic rite.

John 6:53 reads, "I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, ye have not life in yourselves." Taken alone, these words might seem to say that we literally eat his flesh and blood. But by reading on to vs. 63 we find the true meaning. "It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life." Thus as Jesus drew this lesson to a close, he explained that he spoke in figurative language. If one ate the actual flesh and blood of Jesus it would profit nothing, but the Spirit filled words he spoke feed the spirit of man and give him life.

You might also point out to him that God himself has forbidden man to eat blood, whether of man or beast (Gen. 9:4; Acts 15:20). Therefore Christ would not be telling us to go contrary to God's expressed will.

Sincerely,

Back -- or go -- Home