THE EUCHARIST AND HOLY COMMUNION

Transcription

1 THE EUCHARIST AND HOLY COMMUNION THEN NOW

2 THE EUCHARIST AND HOLY COMMUNION The question I had was the basic concept we have of the Eucharist and Holy Communion is it something that has evolved over the two thousand years of our church or is it the same now as in the beginning? Has the understanding of the Eucharist and Holy Communion changed to fit the times?

3 sources A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs Hendrickson Publishers 2003 Ignatius Catholic Study Bible Ignatius Press 2010 The Didache The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles (c ) Joseph Lumkin 2012

4 SOURCES The Lamb s Supper The Mass as Heaven on Earth Scott Hahn 1999 Christianity in View Comparison tables Father Gregory Hallam 2014

5 SOURCES - THE CHURCH FATHERS - Writings of: Ignatius (c ) Bishop of the Church of Antioch and personal disciple of one or more of the apostles Executed in Rome c. 107 Justin Martyr (c ) Philosopher and convert to Christianity Martyr was considered one of the greatest apologists or defender of the faith from the 2 nd century. Martyred by beheading in Rome c. 165

6 SOURCES CONT. -THE CHURCH FATHERS - Clement of Alexandria (c ) During his time considered to be one of the outstanding Christian teachers at Alexandria, Egypt

7 DOCTRINE OF THE EUCHARIST - FROM THE GOSPELS - As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, Take, eat; this is My body. And He took a chalice, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying Drink of it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured for many for the forgiveness of sins. Matt. 26: Written between c. 81 and 99

8 DOCTRINE OF THE EUCHARIST - FROM THE GOSPELS - This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. I am the Living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. John 6: Written c. 100

9 DOCTRINE OF THE EUCHARIST - WRITINGS OF THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS - to drink the blood of Jesus is to share in his immortality As wine is blended with water, so is the Spirit with man The union of both however of the drink and of the Word - is called the Eucharist. Clement of Alexandria (c. 202) Those who by faith partake of it are sanctified both in body and soul. Clement of Alexandria (c.195)

10 HOW THE EUCHARIST WAS CELEBRATED Let that be deemed a proper Eucharist, which is (administered) either by a bishop, or by one to whom he has entrusted it. Ignatius c. 105

11 HOW THE EUCHARIST WAS CELEBRATED And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place. And the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits (Now the 1 st and 2 nd readings and the gospel). < > Then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs (homily) us and exhorts us the imitate these good things. Then we all rise together and pray. And, as we said before, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought. Justin Matyr (c. 160) In the early church each congregation selected what readings they would have. Where as today the church has prescribed readings. Some of the readings used by various congregations ended up not being included in the bible Gospel of James in Jerusalem for example.

12 HOW THE EUCHARIST WAS CELEBRATED Having ended the prayers, we greet one another with a kiss (We now shake hands). Then there is brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water (Now the priest mixes the wine with the water). He takes them and gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those whom we call deacons give to each of those present the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, to partake of. And they carry away a portion to those who are absent. And this food is called among us the Eucharist (Thanksgiving). (cont.)

13 HOW THE EUCHARIST WAS CELEBRATED And no one is allowed to partake of it but the one who believes that the thing which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is living as Christ has commanded. Justin Matyr (c. 160)

14 FROM THE DIDACHE The Didache or The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles is a manuscript which was used by the 2 nd century bishops and priests for the instruction of catechumens. Let no one eat and drink of your Eucharist but those baptized in the name of the Lord; to this, too the saying of the Lord is applicable: Do not give to dogs what is sacred.

15 FROM THE DIDACHE On the Lord s own day (Sunday) assemble in common to break bread and offer thanks; but first confess your sins, so that your sacrifice may be pure (confession today). However, no one quarreling with his bother may join your meeting until they are reconciled; your sacrifice must not be defiled. For here we have the saying of the Lord: In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice This confession of your sins appears to have been done in front of the whole congregation, not in the privacy of the confessional like today.

16 CONCLUSIONS Surprisingly, with very minor differences, the way we receive the Holy Communion in the Catholic church has not changed at all from the way it was done in the 1 st and 2 nd century AD. The belief today of the bread and wine being changed into the body and blood of Jesus Christ during the mass is exactly the same belief as at the beginning of the church two thousand years ago.

17 TOPICS Orthodox Protestant Roman Catholic Eucharist - Significance of Commonly termed the 'Mystic The Eucharist, Like Baptism is only The position is similar to the Supper' or 'Divine Liturgy' - a symbol of grace. The Sacrificial Orthodox. The Eucharist is This makes present Christ's nature of the Eucharist is also also known as the 'Holy Sacrififice and therefore forgiveness rejected. Mass' of Sins is obtained through it. It is also an encounter with the Risen Christ. Eucharist - Presence of During the Eucharist the priest calls The bread and wine being symbols, As in Orthodoxy, the Priest Christ in down the Holy Spirit upon the gifts do not change substance. There invokes the Holy Spirit during (the bread and the wine). They then are however, a wide variety of Mass. However, the consecration change into the actual body and blood views held within the Protestantism becomes effective through the of Christ. The precise way in which on this subject (e.g. some Anglicans Priest, who acts in the person this happens is a divine mystery. accept the Catholic view, whereas of Christ. The gifts change comwhereas the Baptists deny it). petely into Christ's body and and blood and this change is termed "Transsubstantiation' i.e. the outward appearance remains the same, but the substance changes. Eucharist - Distribution of The consecrated elements can only be The elements are usually offered to As with Orthodoxy, only members received by members. Orthodoxy all Christians who feel able to of the church may receive. In some policy is to have communion in both partake of them. The vast majority Catholic Churches, the bread alone kinds (i.e. both the bread and wine are of the Protestant churches have is given to the congregation, the given to those present.) communion in both kinds. Priest receiving the wine. However, it is becoming common for churchs to have communion in both kinds.

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