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NASB | Luke 22:20 And 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 22:20 And 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 [ratified] in My blood. |
Bible Question:
Joe, "Both Luther and Calvin rejected ransubstantiation but held to the real presence of Christ in the Supper." Can Christ's "real presence" not be efficatious? And if it is efficaous, in what manner or sense? Emmaus |
Bible Answer: 'Can Christ's "real presence" not be efficatious?' Oh, I think it is definitely efficacious. We just disagree on the effects. I have a hard time reading Paul's commentary on the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 10-11 without concluding that it actually "does something." "Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?" --1 Corinthians 10:16 In my understanding, it is much more than the bare memorial that the Reformer Ulrich Zwingli concluded it to be. If it is just a ceremony, why were people dying for partaking of it unworthily? Here is the Westminster Larger Catechism's summary of the efficacy and meaning of the Supper: Q. 168. What is the Lord’s supper? A. The Lord’s supper is a sacrament of the New Testament, wherein, by giving and receiving bread and wine according to the appointment of Jesus Christ, his death is showed forth; and they that worthily communicate feed upon his body and blood, to their spiritual nourishment and growth in grace; have their union and communion with him confirmed; testify and renew their thankfulness, and engagement to God, and their mutual love and fellowship each with the other, as members of the same mystical body. So the Lord's Supper: --is a proclamation of Christ's death --nourishes the believer spiritually --causes the faithful to grow in grace (not to maintain or renew our salvation, but rather to further sanctify us) --serves as an outward confirmation of our belonging to Jesus Christ (the covenant aspect) --unites us to the body and blood of Christ through the mediation of the Holy Spirit --reminds us of our belonging to each other and to the universal church of all times and places Of course, this is a minority view among 21st-century Protestants, but it is the view to which I hold. --Joe! |