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NASB | Matthew 26:26 ¶ While 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." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 26:26 ¶ Now as they were eating Jesus took bread, and after blessing it, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." [Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:17-20; 1 Cor 11:23-25] |
Bible Question:
Thanks for the answer. It has brought up more questions. I should say that I've just started taking religion seriously that past 6 months and have been studying mostly the NIV New Testament. Maybe what I'm about to type is specificially for my Lutheran faith. From what I've read, Jesus, while on this earth was representing God and spreading his word. Jesus was forever hanging around Gentiles ( which I've learned were non Jews or those not considered chosen, or something like that ). He was constantly pointing out how everyone was the same thru the eys of the Lord. His chosen teachers were to spread the word throughout the world. It never mentioned excluding anyone from anything. From what you've said, Catholics and Lutherans are doing exactly what God does not want by building barriers. We should be building bridges. The more I learn the more confused I get. What brought this to the forefront for me was my participation in a nondenominational type service where the town pharmacist hands out the bread and wine. At first I thought this was wrong. But all I could find in the Bible was references to elders leading people in faith. I'm not sure what's right. Maybe it doesn't matter so much about rituals and traditions and earthly beliefs. I do know the Bible says to believe that Jesus died for our sins and he lead a life here on earth so we could more easily understand God. Anyway, thanks for your input. James |
Bible Answer: James, Excellent questions, I can't wait to see what other forum members think. It sounds like you and I have similar backgrounds. I was raised Catholic but only started to seriously work on my relationship with God about 18 months ago, starting with studying the NT. What struck me in reading the NT for the first time was how much Jesus talked about how we should live as opposed to how we should follow a "religion" (for example, the Sermon on the Mount, Mt 5). As far as I have found, He didn't prescibe any complex religious ceremonies, but the Catholic Church is full of them. Even the Last Supper sounds so simple: Take and eat this bread (mt 26:26), do this in memory of me. How did it get turned around so much that a priest has to silently recite sacred words over the bread and there are rules upon rules concerning how the communion is distributed and maintained? (I do not say these words as Catholic-bashing, more like sadness that I didn't know Jesus even though I was a "good Catholic".) I totally agree with you that the key is believing in Jesus - that He died for our sins. We need to learn all that we can about Him so we can be closer to Him, we need to worship Him, we need fellowship with other Christians. These are things that I am looking for in a church (I have been trying out many different non-Catholic churches for the past couple of months). I will pray for you in your journey. Keep asking your questions! reilly |