John 6:63 says that the flesh profits nothing; the Spirit is where the focus should be. My point with communion is that the Spirit although invisible works as a "two edged sword" ( Hebrews 4:12). Therefore the importance is just as great as if something was physically changed into the body and blood of Christ. We may look at this like when Jesus forgave sins and asked which was harder; healing or forgiving sins? Clearly the latter because in the material world healing is somewhat a natural phenomenon; whereas there is no method for forgiveness of sins without the perfect Atonement; certainly not our own "good works" which are as Isaiah indicates "filthy rags" in His sight.
I argue that whether it is Baptism; Communion or "fellowship of the saints" when two or more are gathered together He is present; and of course as Revelation 1 and 2 seem to show sometimes it is only a few individuals who are walking correctly; and of course if we can't reach the lukewarm through admonition we should flee the lukewarm church that He will "spue out of His mouth as with the Laodiceans.
We do well to study what it means to be taking communion "unworthily". Certainly unconfessed sin comes to mind but it may be easy to overlook forgiving one's brother first as Jesus said we should do before going to the altar. Certainly this affects communion as well as we are part of the Body of Christ and any schisms hurt us and others as well.
We could also look at what made Christ's body and blood unique. He was born based on the Spirit basically being the "seed" that allowed for a virgin birth. If we consider what makes Him different we can look at a perfect "DNA" and such; but the spiritual perfection vs imperfection is beyond just the symptom of physical decay and death; it is being sinless vs sinful; inherited sin can't be explained readily. Also he bears the scars; certainly not the suffering eternally. This is what makes the "stigmata" of occultic origin only Christ atones.
Indeed brother Richard, I agree with what you have shared with us here. And just to pick up on one pertinent point you shared in relation to the Communion, "whether it is Baptism; Communion or "fellowship of the saints" when two or more are gathered together He is present".
My understanding of Matthew 18:20 hinges on the fact that post-resurrection & ascension, Christ is now seated at the right Hand of the Father ( Mark 16:19; Acts 2:23; Romans 8:34; and many other refs). So, what Jesus spoke of at that time to His disciples, would certainly mean that His Presence amongst them after He left for Heaven, would be by His Spirit Whom they would receive. As far as I'm aware, the physical Jesus will not be seen again until the translation of the saints, or by those with variant beliefs, at His Coming for war, judgement & rule on the Earth.
Now, whether those who subscribe to transubstantiation would apply Matthew 18:20 to bolster their belief or not, I can't tell; though it seems that they could do so, as the verse could support that the physical presence of Jesus could be found in the elements at the 'Eucharist'. But is that what Jesus intended His followers to believe & practise? Whether in corporate prayer, at the Lord's Table, or even in the Eucharist (as practised by some), that His Presence in Body (& Blood) is there (mystically or otherwise), or whether it is His Spirit Who ministers to us in those seasons & right through the course of a believer's life? That if we 'eat or drink unworthily bringing on damnation', the Spirit of Christ is disgraced & abhorred by such hypocritical, sinful participation - which translates of course, as directly aimed at Jesus & His Father.
We are commanded to "grieve not the Holy Spirit of God", for if we do, then the Godhead is dishonored & shamed. It is the Spirit Who broods over our worship, teaching, & communion participation testing or convicting our hearts; and this is how I see the Presence of Christ at the Lord's Table.
I argue that whether it is Baptism; Communion or "fellowship of the saints" when two or more are gathered together He is present; and of course as Revelation 1 and 2 seem to show sometimes it is only a few individuals who are walking correctly; and of course if we can't reach the lukewarm through admonition we should flee the lukewarm church that He will "spue out of His mouth as with the Laodiceans.
We do well to study what it means to be taking communion "unworthily". Certainly unconfessed sin comes to mind but it may be easy to overlook forgiving one's brother first as Jesus said we should do before going to the altar. Certainly this affects communion as well as we are part of the Body of Christ and any schisms hurt us and others as well.
We could also look at what made Christ's body and blood unique. He was born based on the Spirit basically being the "seed" that allowed for a virgin birth. If we consider what makes Him different we can look at a perfect "DNA" and such; but the spiritual perfection vs imperfection is beyond just the symptom of physical decay and death; it is being sinless vs sinful; inherited sin can't be explained readily. Also he bears the scars; certainly not the suffering eternally. This is what makes the "stigmata" of occultic origin only Christ atones.
My understanding of Matthew 18:20 hinges on the fact that post-resurrection & ascension, Christ is now seated at the right Hand of the Father ( Mark 16:19; Acts 2:23; Romans 8:34; and many other refs). So, what Jesus spoke of at that time to His disciples, would certainly mean that His Presence amongst them after He left for Heaven, would be by His Spirit Whom they would receive. As far as I'm aware, the physical Jesus will not be seen again until the translation of the saints, or by those with variant beliefs, at His Coming for war, judgement & rule on the Earth.
Now, whether those who subscribe to transubstantiation would apply Matthew 18:20 to bolster their belief or not, I can't tell; though it seems that they could do so, as the verse could support that the physical presence of Jesus could be found in the elements at the 'Eucharist'. But is that what Jesus intended His followers to believe & practise? Whether in corporate prayer, at the Lord's Table, or even in the Eucharist (as practised by some), that His Presence in Body (& Blood) is there (mystically or otherwise), or whether it is His Spirit Who ministers to us in those seasons & right through the course of a believer's life? That if we 'eat or drink unworthily bringing on damnation', the Spirit of Christ is disgraced & abhorred by such hypocritical, sinful participation - which translates of course, as directly aimed at Jesus & His Father.
We are commanded to "grieve not the Holy Spirit of God", for if we do, then the Godhead is dishonored & shamed. It is the Spirit Who broods over our worship, teaching, & communion participation testing or convicting our hearts; and this is how I see the Presence of Christ at the Lord's Table.
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