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NASB | 1 Corinthians 10:16 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? |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 10:16 Is the cup of blessing which we bless [at the Lord's Supper] not a sharing in the blood of Christ? [Indeed it is.] Is the bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ? [Indeed it is.] |
Bible Question: How can the idea that the bread and cup are only symbolic be supported in light of this verse? |
Bible Answer: It is not symbolic. Everytime we have communion, the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross is "made present". It is not a repeat of the sacrifice, it is that very same sacrifice. That is how the disciples could take part in the body and blood of Christ before his crucifixion. God is outside of time, since time itself is merely a part of his creation. The early Church always understood the bread and wine to be the literal body and blood of Christ. Justin Martyr wrote as much in his First Apology around the middle of the second century. Ignatius in his letter to the Smyrnaeans around the end of the first century (or the beginning of the 2nd) says the same and Irenaeus (towards the end of the 2nd century) writes much on this subject. They are just a few of the earlier writings we have from the church. |